Lisa from Frack Free Isle of Wight shares this latest news. Ed
On 16th September the government activated PEDL331, a licence for oil and gas exploration and development covering 200sq km of the Island to UK Oil and Gas Investments PLC (UKOG) in partnership with other companies. This is in addition to an existing licence P1916 adjacent to the south west coast of the Island. UKOG state they are preparing planning applications.
Frack Free Isle of Wight are a voluntary group of individuals committed to resist any attempt to drill for fossil fuels on the Island by engaging with the democratic process and peaceful, non-violent direct action.
Use of fossil fuels
Whilst there is undoubtedly a present need to use fossil fuels, the majority of already proven reserves of fossil fuels need to stay in the ground to avoid the tipping point of irreversible climate change.
There are ample existing supplies to enable a comfortable transition to renewable sources of energy provided efforts are not thwarted by those determined to further our dependence on fossil fuels, which in any terms is a finite resource.
UK consumes 1.4 million barrels per day
If this licence goes to full term production, the anticipated end date is 20 July 2046. The amount currently estimated to be recoverable from the onshore licence is around 17 million barrels of oil.
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That sounds impressive until you compare this to current UK consumption of 1.4 million barrels per day. 12 days supply taking 30 years to produce cannot by any stretch of the imagination be considered significant, nor worth the related risks of harm to health, the environment, and other industries crucial to the Island such as tourism and agriculture.
We need your help
Frack Free Isle of Wight have been extremely busy over the last year. We’ve held numerous public meetings; attended local events; conducted door to door leafletting; liaised with other Island groups and organisations and networked with national groups, giving and receiving support from others facing the same threat.
However, this is just the beginning. With the licence now active there is still much to do, and we need your help!
Become a member
Please show your support by becoming a member of Frack Free Isle of Wight and/or helping us in our efforts, whether regularly or occasionally, it all makes a difference.
Membership is now available for £6 per year, and can be obtained via paypal on our Website or in person at our meetings. Your membership subscriptions will contribute toward the cost of further meetings, leaflets etc, and give you voting rights when important decisions are made.
All welcome to the AGM
To find out more about what we have been doing over the past 12 months, get more involved and help us formulate our plans for the coming year, please join us at our AGM, this Thursday, 10th November, 7pm, at the Castle Inn (Stable Bar) 91 High Street, Newport.
All welcome.
