THE MP for North Shropshire has stated she is opposed to fracking despite calls for it be used during a time of rising energy bills.
Helen Morgan said it would increase dependency on gas at a time when the country “needed to be accelerating” the transition away from fossil fuels.
Ms Morgan said bills would not be cut immediately if fracking was lifted and that the UK needed to invest in renewable energy instead of relying on fossil fuels.
She added: “I am absolutely opposed to extracting coal bed methane in North Shropshire, or indeed anywhere in the UK.
“It wouldn’t cut people’s bills now if we lifted the ban because it would take years to establish a viable fracking industry and we need to be leaving fossil fuels in the ground.
“The way to lower bills is not to increase our dependency on gas, but instead to accelerate our transition away from fossil fuels by investing in diverse renewable energy sources, including off-shore wind, solar and reversing the Tories damaging ban on on-shore wind.
“This must happen alongside an energy efficiency programme, to cut people’s bills and warm their homes.
“This can all be done immediately, and without destroying swathes of our beautiful countryside and productive farmland.”
The Liberal Democrat MP also cited the conflict in Ukraine as a reason to reduce dependency of fossil fuels, with Russia being a major exporter of oil and gas to Europe.
She said: “In addition to the environmental urgency, the appalling conflict in Ukraine has made our choices very stark.
“We must reduce our dependency on the fossil fuels that fund Putin and his ilk.”
Back in 2011, a farmer, Paul Hickson, signed a deal, to allow the energy company, Dart Energy, to search for gas on his land, a deal which he subsequently did not renew.
There were protests from residents in Dudleston and Ellesmere who argued against fracking, citing concerns over environmental impact.
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