Fracking is now off limits in Three Rivers, as the district council gave a resounding ‘no’ to the practice, passing its first ever Green Party-sponsored motion.
Proposer, councillor Chris Mitchell, who was elected last May as the Three Rivers District Council (TRDC)’s first Green councillor, saw his motion backed by Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors, who spoke passionately about the harmful effects of fossil gas extraction and the risks of environmental pollution.
Cllr Mitchell said: “It’s unlikely fracking will ever happen here but even if any government does re-allow fracking, this motion will dissuade anyone from investigating possibilities locally.”
Just days after the decision, Rishi Sunak’s new government reimposed a ban on fracking in England and Wales, after the ban had been revoked by previous Prime Minister Liz Truss, in move that eventually contributed to her downfall.
Mitchell also added that reliance on fossil fuels and new fossil fuel infrastructure exposes our communities to untenable risks to public health and safety at local and global levels. The economic opportunities of a clean energy transition far outweigh those offered by more fossil fuel extraction.
The motion was seconded by Labour leader, Cllr Stephen Cox, he said: “Collaborating on the motion was a great opportunity to work closely with the other parties in our community’s best interests”.
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