Local MP responds to enrichment homework letter
Our pupil Stan sent a letter about shale gas extraction to the Houses of Parliament. Local MP Guy Opperman replied:
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GUY OPPERMAN MP
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SW1A OAA
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SW1A OAA
Master Stan Evans
c/o Dr Meryl Batchelder
Corbridge Middle School
Corbridge
Northumberland, NE45 5HX
c/o Dr Meryl Batchelder
Corbridge Middle School
Corbridge
Northumberland, NE45 5HX
05 March 2018
Dear Stan
Thank you so much for your letter. I genuinely apologise for the delay in replying; I only received it recently. I know Corbridge Middle very well, having visited three times in the last eight months. I really enjoyed reading your letter, I always love to hear my constituents' opinions on lots of different issues.
You raised a number of points:
I fully understand and appreciate your concerns about shale gas extraction, also known as fracking. But let me reassure you that the Government is developing laws that provide clear, strong protections for the environment, which will be updated as the industry develops.
The right protections are in place to ensure that fracking can go ahead safely without risk to our most beautiful and important natural sites. In addition to these laws, consent cannot be granted for shale gas extraction until the environmental impact of a development has been taken into account. Operators are also required to monitor groundwater.
Put simply, the fact is that our country has one of the best track records in the world when it comes to looking after the environment. With these laws in place, I believe we have the right protections.
Thank you again for writing to me, Stan. It really is brilliant to see your enthusiasm.
With very best wishes,
& thank you for your letter
Guy Opperman
GUY OPPERMAN MP
Thank you so much for your letter. I genuinely apologise for the delay in replying; I only received it recently. I know Corbridge Middle very well, having visited three times in the last eight months. I really enjoyed reading your letter, I always love to hear my constituents' opinions on lots of different issues.
You raised a number of points:
- The Government is trying to use less fossil fuels and has signed up to the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
- Locally, Northumberland County Council are using low energy bulbs in all public places.
- There have been huge and extensive efforts to address insulation, and to make homes more energy efficient.
- We are also rolling out smart meters to cut energy costs.
- Wind farms are contentious. Some people are passionately against them, and their energy remains expensive; but the main argument you have is with shale gas extraction.
I fully understand and appreciate your concerns about shale gas extraction, also known as fracking. But let me reassure you that the Government is developing laws that provide clear, strong protections for the environment, which will be updated as the industry develops.
The right protections are in place to ensure that fracking can go ahead safely without risk to our most beautiful and important natural sites. In addition to these laws, consent cannot be granted for shale gas extraction until the environmental impact of a development has been taken into account. Operators are also required to monitor groundwater.
Put simply, the fact is that our country has one of the best track records in the world when it comes to looking after the environment. With these laws in place, I believe we have the right protections.
Thank you again for writing to me, Stan. It really is brilliant to see your enthusiasm.
With very best wishes,
& thank you for your letter
Guy Opperman
GUY OPPERMAN MP
Working hard for Hexham, Prudhoe, Ponteland and Tynedale
Twitter: @GuyOppermanMP Facebook: Guy Opperman MP
Daily blog: www.guyopperman.co.uk Tel: 01670 789 161 Email: [email protected]
Address: Western Room, Office 2, Horton Park, Berwick Hill Road, NE13 6BU Tel: 01670 789 161
www.guyopperman.co.uk
Twitter: @GuyOppermanMP Facebook: Guy Opperman MP
Daily blog: www.guyopperman.co.uk Tel: 01670 789 161 Email: [email protected]
Address: Western Room, Office 2, Horton Park, Berwick Hill Road, NE13 6BU Tel: 01670 789 161
www.guyopperman.co.uk
