Jacob Rees-Mogg, Britain’s Brexit Secretary, has called on the Tory government to rethink its fracking ban.
This is a move that might boost Britons’ access to cheap energy and perhaps increase the country’s alternative energy.
Desperate times
Russia’s recent escalation of the Ukraine conflict, as well as Boris Johnson’s Net-Zero green diktats, exacerbated long-standing issues resulting from decades of poor government energy policies, with home energy and gasoline prices skyrocketing.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, on the other hand, recommended that one way to combat this — and ensure Britain’s “energy supplies” — is to use the resources Britain “has a lot of” at home.
This includes acquiring gas through fracking, which he claims is safe and in connection with the Conservative Party’s 2019 policy platform.
According to The Telegraph, Mogg moved on to dismiss eco-fearmongering about hydraulic fracking operations, which he explained as the same size of a “cricket field.”
Also, he claimed seismicity generated by fracking is “less than you get from a rockslide in a decommissioned coal mine.” Folks need to develop “a clear understanding of what the major dangers are” before making a decision on hydraulic fracturing.
Government must rethink fracking 'to heat homes at affordable level', says Jacob Rees-Mogg https://t.co/p0wKQImdOn
— English Flowers (@FlowersEnglish) March 11, 2022
“Isn’t it true life is all about managing risk?” That’s just human nature; there are hazards in terms of the impact on areas,” Mogg added.
When questioned if fracking would compromise with the government’s popular net-zero plans by Christopher Hope of The Telegraph’s Chopper’s Politicians, Mogg argued it wouldn’t, saying “2050 is a long way off.”
Desperate measures
Mogg was hesitant to inform Hope how many members of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Cabinet agreed with his ideas.
His ideas are contrary to current government policy, instead claiming to be abiding by the Chatham House guideline.
Chatham Hall, also renowned as the Royal Institute for Global, is the home of the closed-door policy. This allows guests to reveal what was debated, but not who said what or, in some cases, who was represented.
The City of London leads the way in the effects of sanctioning Russian banks. pic.twitter.com/WAgFV64ghy
— Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) March 5, 2022
While the Conservative government banned drilling in the United Kingdom, on Tuesday, it reversed course on an earlier fracking rule.
This allowed two fracking sites that were scheduled to be covered with cement to stay open until June in order to conduct “research.”
Another seeming U-turn occurred with Britain’s North Sea oil sector. It has increased production, notwithstanding the government’s rejection of additional drilling licenses just last year, according to The Herald.
Despite growing energy costs, a government official stated the government’s “stance on fracking hasn’t altered.”
As household expenses are set to rise by an extra £800, Johnson has come under increased stress to find a solution to Britain’s energy shortage.
Mogg emphasized in his question and answer session, “what really makes a difference is people should be allowed to heat their residences at an affordable level. This is continuing to be hugely reliant on gas for years to come.”
