Lib Dems slam Tory fracking plans as "attack on democracy"
Following the leaking of government plans to take decisions over fracking sites away from the hands of local councils, Sarah Osborne, Leader of the Lewes District Council Lib Dem Group said:
"Fracking poses environmental risks to groundwater quality, waste and air emissions, and health and biodiversity and to the geological integrity of the areas involved. These are risks likely to be exacerbated by the Conservative government’s cost-cutting and deregulatory approach to compliance with environmental standards." said Cllr Vic Ient, a keen environmentalist.
"Why are the Tories so keen to allow fracking and mess up our planet but at the same time close down the Lib Dem initiatives on Renewable Energy just when we were turning the corner on replacing polluting CO2 fuels with green energy sources?" Cllr Ient asked.
ENDS.
Notes to editors: A document leaked at the weekend has confirmed Ministers plan to take decisions over fracking sites away from the hands of local councils - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/fracking/12130801/Ministers-plot-to-foil-anti-frackers.html