Cameron acknowledges that it will fully develop shale gas

According to recent reports, British Prime Minister David Cameron has publicly stated that the government is committed to fully developing the country’s shale gas resources. In a significant move, the government has announced that local authorities near shale gas drilling sites will be allowed to retain all sales tax generated from these operations, potentially boosting their revenues by millions of pounds annually.

This decision comes amid growing debate over the environmental and social impacts of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. To address concerns, Cameron has also pledged that the profits from energy companies involved in shale gas projects will be directly distributed as cash payments to nearby homeowners. However, this promise has drawn sharp criticism, especially after news emerged that French energy giant Total was investing in UK shale gas projects. Environmental groups quickly accused the government of engaging in what they called "corporate bribery," arguing that such measures could undermine public trust in the regulatory process.

The controversy surrounding shale gas development is not new. In December 2013, the UK government released its “Regulatory Roadmap” for shale gas exploitation, which faced widespread backlash from environmental organizations. Greenpeace, in particular, criticized officials for citing a “Strategic Environmental Assessment” report that allegedly failed to highlight key risks associated with the industry. According to the report, the development of just one shale gas well could consume up to 9 million cubic meters of water per year—enough to fill 40,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Additionally, local communities have raised concerns about the noise, traffic, and pollution caused by heavy truck movements, which can occur between 14 to 50 times daily over periods lasting up to three years.