The Lancaster MP has slammed claims by the Business Secretary that opposition to fracking is funded by Russia.
Jacob Rees-Mogg was addressing parliament earlier today after it was confirmed that the moratorium on drilling for shale gas, introduced in 2019, was to end.
The government has lifted a ban on fracking for shale gas, even though a review concluded that forecasting related earthquakes "remains a scientific challenge".
Business and energy secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said strengthening the UK's energy security is "an absolute priority" in light of "Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of energy".
Cat Smith was critical of the move, telling him: ‘’It appears that the only person who believes fracking will lower gas prices is the Secretary of State. It’s certainly not backed up by anyone in the industry and there’s no question of the environmentally damaging nature if fracking.
‘’But one thing (he) is perhaps not aware of is the strength of opposition to fracking in communities like mine on Lancashire, where sites at Preston New Road and Roseacre have seen a huge police presence just to manage the protesting.
‘’There is absolutely no public support for fracking, so I’d like to ask the Secretary of State if he can be very clear to my constituents if they will be given the decision on whether or not fracking happens in Lancashire?
In response, the Secretary of State said: ‘’A number of people have said that fracking is environmentally unfriendly, but it is more friendly from importing LNG from abroad, it is a lower carbon footprint and this is fundamentally important.
‘’And I’m well aware there have been objections to fracking. But I also note there have been stories widely reported that some of the opposition to fracking has been funded by Mr Putin’s regime.’’
Ms Smith slammed the response, later saying: ‘’The Secretary of State has been drinking from the fracking Kool-Aid if he thinks Lancashire is crying out for this dangerous and environmentally damaging experiment.
‘’I really need to work on my poker face when listening to unhinged responses from him.’’
The government claims the gas could start flowing within six months, but experts say it could take a decade, doing little to enhance energy security or lower bills. Its climate advisors have warned of the risk of locking the country into fossil fuel infrastructure when it should be transitioning to green energy.
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