Isaac Occhipinti, External Affairs Manager at EUA said “People will always have concerns when any new technologies are introduced and shale gas extraction is no different but I don’t believe the argument ‘for or against’ has been properly balanced.”

His comments come following the decision by Lancashire County Council to block fracking at Little Plumpton, a site between Preston and Blackpool.

Mr Occhipinti continued,

“Everyone enjoys being able to flick a switch on their gas cooker and prepare a meal, get out of bed on a cold morning, knowing that the gas central heating will have kicked in and be warming the house; yet little thought is given to where this gas comes from and at what cost.

We need to accept that gas will continue to play a major role in the UK’s energy mix for years to come and so it would be criminal to simply ignore what is under our very feet.

Exploiting UK shale means that we import less from overseas, making it less carbon intensive and more secure and if the supply is more secure the price will fluctuate less as we won’t be competing with other nations to purchase it. The Shale industry in turn will be employing people and paying tax – helping UK plc.

I would urge the people of Lancashire to think again.”