UK Energy Secretary Davey Supports Indigenous Shale Gas

Energy Secretary Edward Davey made the case for the exploration of shale gas in the UK, in line with the climate change targets.

“Gas, as the cleanest fossil fuel, is part of the answer to climate change, as a bridge in our transition to a green future, especially in our move away from coal,” said Davey in a speech to the Royal Society. 

Davey said that, with the right safeguards in place, shale gas could benefit the UK, increasing energy security and providing more jobs and tax revenues.

He also presented and commented the findings of a new report by DECC Chief Scientific Advisor David Mackay and Timothy Stone, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State. 

The study estimates that the carbon footprint of UK produced shale gas would likely be significantly less than coal and also lower than imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

“I strongly welcome these very sensible recommendations and we will be responding positively and in detail shortly… It should help reassure environmentalists like myself, that we can safely pursue UK shale gas production and meet our national emissions reductions targets designed to help tackle climate change,” commented Davey.