UK issues permit for commercial oil and gas drilling in Yorkshire
The Environment Agency has granted a permit variation to Rathlin Energy which plans to begin commercial operations in East Yorkshire.
On 29th August the UK government announced the latest consultation on the draft permit, following an initial consultation that took place in December 2021. Following this, permission to drill oil and gas wells at a West Newton A well site in East Riding of Yorkshire will now take place.
‘The Environment Agency is satisfied that the appropriate measures are in place for oil and gas extraction without causing harm to the environment or human health,’ said Kathryn Richardson, area environment manager at the Environment Agency said. ‘After exploring the issues and concerns that have been raised, it cannot find any reason to refuse the application.’
Rathlin has operated its exploratory oil and gas drill site at West Newton A since 2013, under the conditions of an environmental permit. However, the organisation has continuously declined to describe its activity, both at West Newton and at a drilling site, which has now closed, near Walkington.
Although the Environment Agency believe the drilling will cause no harm to the environment, the local Green Party have described the decision as a ‘disaster’.
Kevin Paulson, from the East Yorkshire Green Party, told the BBC: ‘It’s a disaster locally because of the local pollution and the very large number of tanker trucks it will need to travel through our countryside to remove the oil. It’s a disaster globally because there can be no new fossil fuel development if we’re to honour the Paris Agreement.’
Despite apprehensions, Kathryn has gone on to say: ‘In assessing this permit variation, we have completed a detailed and rigorous assessment of Rathlin Energy’s application to ensure the operating techniques and control measures at the proposed facility comply with the legal requirements of the Environmental Permitting Regulations – which are in place to protect people and the environment.’
Image: Patrick Hendry
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