Shale gas is safe and seismic limits need to be reviewed, says UK business secretary

Shale gas is safe and Britain must review the seismic activity limits allowed at fracking sites, Business Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said on Thursday.

“We need to review seismic boundaries to ensure shale gas extraction can be done effectively and efficiently,” Rees-Mogg told parliament after the government officially lifted a moratorium on fracking for the gas. of shale.

“We know that shale gas is safe. It is safe in the United States.

The biggest tremor caused by fracking in Britain took place at a site in Blackpool, northern England, in 2011, registering a magnitude of 2.3 which locals say woke them up the night.

After that, the government introduced a traffic light system that suspended work if seismic activity of 0.5 or more on the Richter scale was detected.

“Seismic activity of 2.5 and below on the Richter scale occurs millions of times a year around the world,” Rees-Mogg said.

“Our standards for movement at ground level for construction work are double those that have ever been achieved by any shale gas exploration in this country.”