There is local concern about a controversial shale gas ‘fracking’ experiment in the district which could polute our local water supplies.
Local Environmental Group 'Deal With It' expressed it’s concern of the decision by local authorities to approve a test bore site for shale gas near Woodnesborough at the junction of A257/A256. It is similar operation in Blackpool that has hit the national headlines recently. That site’s operations has had to be halted because it appears to be causing earth tremors.
Shale Gas drilling is controversial because a sand, chemical and water mixture is pumped at high pressure deep inside the earth to break up the shale coal layer (‘fracking’ or fracturing the rock) and so release methane gas. It is portrayed a ‘green’ energy solution but reality the industry knows little of its long-term impact and there is lot of evidence from the USA of the practice polluting water supplies.
Local Environmental Group 'Deal with It's' Cor-ordinator Rosie Rectcher reports : “We are very concerned about this. It is not just the recent experience of what has happened in Blackpool although given the amount of old mine workings in the district that is of course a major concern. There is considerable evidence of the danger that this sort of operation poses to our water supply. Given we live in one of the most arid parts of the country we should not be taking risks with our water supply. Our part of Kent has the opportunity for many green energy solutions, from wind farms, tidal and the new energy park recently announced in the district. We do not need Shale Gas in Kent. We call upon the Kent County Council and Dover District Council to reject the application”
For more details check the Deal With It website at www.dealwithit.org
What do other locals think about these controversial experiments?
