An inquiry by the House of Commons' Energy and Climate Change Committee found “no evidence” that the hydraulic fracturing process involved in shale gas extraction – known as ‘fracking’ – poses a direct risk to underground water aquifers, provided the drilling well is constructed properly.
However, the committee warns that while emissions from gas are lower than from coal, it cannot match the low-carbon credentials of sources such as solar and wind power which may suffer a knock-on effect if shale gas extraction became widespread.
Committee
