Desperate U.K. Turns to Shale Gas

To meet emissions goals, the U.K. is reluctantly turning to fracking of shale gas.

• By Peter Fairley on September 10, 2013

Why It Matters

The U.K. has few good energy choices as it looks to both reduce carbon emissions and produce cheap electricity.

Fracking fight: Operations at an exploratory drilling site for shale gas in southeast England, operated by the energy company Cuadrilla Resources, suspended operations in mid-August after protests from residents and environmentalists.

Proposed U.K. government policies to encourage hydrofracking of natural gas ignited a firestorm of protest this summer, with critics complaining that they were not consulted and that rules will restrict local planners’ authority. But the country appears to have few other options. The United Kingdom is in an energy quagmire that is forcing it to turn to shale gas.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/518936/desperate-uk-turns-to-shale-gas/