The Government has granted PEDL licenses (Petroleum Exploration and Development License) to UK Methane for Unconventional Gas Extraction (Fracking) in Somerset.
These licenses cover much of the Mendips and surrounding area.
UK Methane have declared Ston Easton and Compton Martin (north Mendips) as areas that they intend to test drill and the likelihood is that they will be targeting coal bed methane from the Somerset Coalfield, part of which runs beneath the north flank of the Mendips, while also assessing the viability of fracking for methane from the shale.
Much of the rest of Mendip is also within the area covered by the licenses.
UK Methane encountered strong opposition to their plans to drill in Keynsham (BANES) and withdrew their application.
Now their target area seems to be just over the boundary here, in the region managed by Somerset County Council.
The potential hazards associated with drilling for methane in an area riddled with abandoned coal mines, closely associated with a caving region, a major fault and a water supply for Bristol and the surrounding area will not be lost on cavers.
The possibility of endangering the hot springs in Bath and Hotwells (water for which is believed to originate in this area) by pollution or compromise of the hydrostatic head (each well requires around 500,000,000 gallons of water, salts, lubricants and other chemicals to be pumped in, extracted and ?disposed of?) is a serious issue, as is more widespread pollution as, to make it profitable, there could be hundreds of wells in the area if extraction is deemed commercially viable.
With industrialisation of this beautiful rural area, roads jammed with tankers 24 hours a day, the risk of air, land and water pollution, interception of water supplies, well documented health risks associated with fracking and the likelihood that property prices will be drastically reduced there is great concern in the area.
For more information and to sign a petition if you have concerns visit www.frackfeesomerset.org
These licenses cover much of the Mendips and surrounding area.
UK Methane have declared Ston Easton and Compton Martin (north Mendips) as areas that they intend to test drill and the likelihood is that they will be targeting coal bed methane from the Somerset Coalfield, part of which runs beneath the north flank of the Mendips, while also assessing the viability of fracking for methane from the shale.
Much of the rest of Mendip is also within the area covered by the licenses.
UK Methane encountered strong opposition to their plans to drill in Keynsham (BANES) and withdrew their application.
Now their target area seems to be just over the boundary here, in the region managed by Somerset County Council.
The potential hazards associated with drilling for methane in an area riddled with abandoned coal mines, closely associated with a caving region, a major fault and a water supply for Bristol and the surrounding area will not be lost on cavers.
The possibility of endangering the hot springs in Bath and Hotwells (water for which is believed to originate in this area) by pollution or compromise of the hydrostatic head (each well requires around 500,000,000 gallons of water, salts, lubricants and other chemicals to be pumped in, extracted and ?disposed of?) is a serious issue, as is more widespread pollution as, to make it profitable, there could be hundreds of wells in the area if extraction is deemed commercially viable.
With industrialisation of this beautiful rural area, roads jammed with tankers 24 hours a day, the risk of air, land and water pollution, interception of water supplies, well documented health risks associated with fracking and the likelihood that property prices will be drastically reduced there is great concern in the area.
For more information and to sign a petition if you have concerns visit www.frackfeesomerset.org
