Petition A debate about fracking

We call upon the government to create an independent commission to look upon the potential impact of the use of hydraulic fracturing to access natural gas reserves in shale rock and discuss whether it is an acceptable method to produce gas in the United Kingdom.

The commission should look at the environmental, social and economic factors - and how they are connected and impact upon each other. The commission should also look at how Shale gas fits into a wider energy strategy, fuel poverty, and energy security. Clear headed science.

Ultimately, this commission should report back empirical evidence that helps the debate and guides policy, because at present its clear that the wider public (the author included) is ignorant of all the facts.