Over 40 people attended a meeting in Shepton Mallet on Wednesday evening to listen to information about risks of fracking and unconventional gas developments to the area.

Taking place at the Mendip District Council Chambers, concerned locals came together to listen to presentations about unconventional gas developments across the world and the multiple harmful impacts being experienced and recorded.

A representative from national group, Frack Off, spoke about the bigger picture and why Somerset now faces these developments. An organiser from Frack Free Somerset also spoke, informing the room about local community action that had been taking place and how people could get involved. There were abundant questions and answers and nearly everyone present left with a heightened awareness of the impacts of uncoventional gas and extreme energy developments.

Anne Watts from Frack Free Somerset said: “We want every single person living in Shepton Mallet and its surrounding villages, that are in a PEDL (Petroleum Exploration Development License) Area, who is at risk of unconventional gas developments to be fully informed about fracking and coal bed methane extraction. Once fracking takes place contamination of land and water is inevitable. You cannot do it safely.”

“Communities in the United States and Australia are working tirelessly to stop Coal Seam Gas[8] drilling while contending all of the negative impacts on their health, land and communities. We have an option in Somerset to prevent it from starting in the first place.”

If you are interested in raising awarenesss and organising against fracking locally please email info@frackfreesomerset.org and we will forward your details to the Shepton Mallet group contact.

 

Posted on: February 16, 2013