Overview

This bill aims to strengthen the regulation of fracking in England and Wales by mandating comprehensive monitoring of environmental impacts, including water contamination, methane emissions, and the effects on local communities. It also introduces financial safeguards to ensure responsible site abandonment and remediation.

Description

The bill requires the Secretary of State to implement regulations within specified timeframes addressing several key areas:

Water Contamination

Mandatory testing of groundwater and local water supplies before and during fracking operations; regular Environment Agency inspections; mechanisms for handling resident complaints; and long-term groundwater flow modelling to predict pollutant dispersal.

Methane Emissions

The Environment Agency is tasked with establishing a system to monitor fugitive methane emissions from fracking sites using both ground-based and satellite technology. The bill also sets limits on allowable methane losses and prohibits venting and flaring of wells.

Wastewater Disposal

Regulations will ensure that wastewater from fracking facilities is processed through licensed treatment plants, tested for radionuclides, and disposed of appropriately, including handling of radioactive waste if detected.

Impact on Local Communities

An independent review will assess the impact of fracking sites on local communities, considering increased traffic, loss of amenities, and the physical and mental health of residents.

Financial Bond

Shale gas operators will be required to deposit a financial bond guaranteeing environmental remediation, water supply restoration, and the safe abandonment of fracking sites, even in cases of operator bankruptcy.

Fiscal Strategy

An independent review will assess the current and potential contribution of the government's fiscal strategy regarding unconventional gas extraction to climate change and air quality standards.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify exact figures for increased government spending. However, it will necessitate funding for the Environment Agency's enhanced monitoring activities, independent reviews, and the enforcement of new regulations. The overall cost is likely to be significant but remains undefined.

Groups Affected

This bill will affect numerous groups:

• Shale gas operators: Will face increased regulatory burdens, including mandatory testing, monitoring, and financial bonds.
• Environment Agency: Will have increased responsibilities for monitoring and enforcement.
• Local communities: Will experience both potential risks and benefits, with enhanced protection against environmental damage but also potential disruptions.
• Water companies: Will be impacted by the requirements for water testing and monitoring.
• Government: Will need to allocate funding for the implementation and enforcement of the bill.

Powered by nyModel