Overview

This Infrastructure Bill amendment focuses on regulating onshore petroleum activities in England and Wales, particularly hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"). It mandates impact assessments, environmental safeguards, and public consultation to mitigate potential risks to the environment and local communities while addressing the impact on the UK's carbon budget.

Description

The bill introduces two key clauses:

Advice on Onshore Petroleum's Impact on Carbon Budget

This section requires the Secretary of State to regularly seek advice from the Committee on Climate Change on how onshore petroleum extraction and combustion will affect the UK's carbon emission targets. Reports summarizing this advice must be presented to Parliament. The Lords' amendments clarify the reporting process by mandating the submission of both the advice received and a report (or draft regulations) to Parliament.

Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing: Safeguards

This section introduces stringent conditions for granting consent to onshore hydraulic fracturing. These conditions include mandatory environmental impact assessments, well integrity inspections, emissions monitoring and public disclosure, consultation with water companies, community benefit schemes, and restrictions on fracking depth and location (prohibiting it in groundwater protection zones, protected areas, and at depths less than 1000 metres). The Secretary of State must be satisfied these conditions are met before granting consent. The amendments also clarify that this section extends to England and Wales only.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify changes to government spending. The costs associated with the new regulatory processes, advice seeking, and reporting requirements are likely to increase government expenditure, though precise figures are not provided in the amendment text.

Groups Affected

• Onshore Petroleum Companies: Face increased regulatory burdens, potentially impacting profitability and project feasibility. Increased costs from compliance with stricter environmental standards and public consultation requirements.
• Local Communities: May benefit from community benefit schemes but also potentially face environmental risks from fracking activities. Increased opportunities for public engagement and input through the consultation and reporting processes.
• Environmental Organizations: May see the bill as a step towards increased environmental protection, but effectiveness depends on the implementation of new regulations.
• Government Agencies: Increased workload to implement and enforce regulations, provide advice and prepare reports.
• Water Companies: Will need to be consulted on fracking plans potentially leading to increased administrative workload.

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