Hype or Hope? Shale Gas and UK Energy Policy | 06.03.2012

Описание: Shale gas is potentially the biggest development in global energy policy of the last few years. Today, the prospect of large shale-gas resources looms over the UK's energy policy. The possibility of domestic production is one part of this -- early stage exploration has yielded positive resource projections in the northwest of England, near to Blackpool and Ellesmere Port. The evolution of liquid international markets for gas markets, topped-up by shale gas developments across the world, is the other. The implications of these changes on UK energy policy are both potentially transformative and highly uncertain. This event will consider whether the potential of shale gas can be realised in light of ongoing environmental, economic and climate concerns.

Policy Exchange will be releasing its report on the implications of shale gas for UK energy policy in February 2012, and this event will follow up some of the themes raised in that report.

Questions for discussion at this event include:

Can local environments be protected against the impact of hydraulic fracturing ('fracking') production techniques?
Is development of shale resources compatible with attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
How will increased production and use of gas in other parts of the world affect the UK gas market?
Should the emergence of shale gas change the direction of UK electricity policy?
Speakers:

Tom Greatrex MP - Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change
Andrew Austin - Chief Executive Officer, IGas
Dr Pierre Noel - Director, EPRG Energy Policy Forum, University of Cambridge
Doug Parr - Chief Scientist, Greenpeace UK