New oil and gasoline extraction in UK threatened by authorized challenges

The deep meadow grass and dappled forests of oak and beech in Surrey are the unlikely settings for a brand new frontier in fossil gas exploration – and a authorized take a look at case that threatens any new oil and gasoline extraction in Britain.

Horse Hill, close to Horley, is the positioning of an oil properly that is already in manufacturing.

It is properly screened by woodland and bushy hedges, however footage from the air reveals a large space of laborious standing round a rig, flanked by storage tanks and short-term buildings. Horses graze the sphere subsequent door.

Surrey County Council has given permission to broaden operations, however this has been challenged by campaigners.

Lisa Scott Conte says they failed to take a look at the entire environmental influence.

“Surrey County Council didn’t consider the burning of the fuel,” she mentioned.

“They solely thought-about the climate emissions as the oils and gases are being produced and not the downstream impact of what would happen when the produced oil is actually burned, when it is in the engines of cars and trucks.”

This is the difficulty in entrance of the Supreme Court on 21 June – ought to planning selections be based mostly not simply on native environmental impacts however the evident hurt of climate change when the merchandise of that drilling are burnt?

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These are often called ‘downstream emissions’. A important take a look at case in keeping with Katie de Kauwe, a lawyer for the marketing campaign group Friends of the Earth – judging by different events who have gotten concerned.

“This case could have an incredible impact,” Ms Kauwe mentioned. “The fact that the promoter of the West Cumbrian coal mine has decided to intervene in this case shows that, because these are two distinct fossil fuel projects.

“The concern of ‘finish use’ emissions is certainly one of big significance as a result of in the end that is the place nearly all of the carbon emissions come up.”

Around 20 miles east of Horse Hill, the same company – UK Oil and Gas – applied to drill for gas and, despite planners rejecting this one, the government intervened to have it overturned.

The web site is correct between a chosen ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and the gorgeous village of Dunsfold.

It is neighbourhood impacts which native resident Sarah Godwin from ‘Protect Dunsfold’ will see examined by the High Court.

“I would very much like to see the judge reverse the previous decision of the secretary of state,” she mentioned.

“You can’t have a drilling site with all the water pollution potential, light air pollution in a rural area. But more than that, they’re going to have very big vehicles on small country lanes.”

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But it’s plain that the UK nonetheless burns loads of gas. Many of the picturesque Surrey villages can be heated with oil or gasoline, most of us nonetheless fill automobiles on the pump.

In truth, round three quarters of all our vitality comes from fossil sources.

Charles McCallister, director of coverage on the foyer group UK Onshore Oil and Gas believes this justifies additional exploration right here – even in a local weather disaster.

“It is incontrovertible that the UK will continue to need oil and gas over 2050 and beyond,” he mentioned.

“The question is where do we get it from? Imports do not offer the evident economic, environmental and geopolitical benefits a domestic industry would offer. Specifically, imported oil and gas is much, much more carbon intensive than domestically produced gas.”

The authorities broadly agrees that some new drilling can be allowed and is appropriate with our goal of reaching internet zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The Labour Party lately pledged to cease new oil and gasoline exploration. The Supreme Court’s verdict may set off each political and environmental shockwaves.

Their judgement is predicted later this yr.

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