The Lancaster MP has welcomed a government announcement about moves to permanently ban fracking.
There is currently a moratorium – a temporary suspension – in the UK on the practice, which involves drilling and then extracting gas from rock by injecting into it water, sand and chemicals under high pressure.
The current ban was introduced in 2019 after concerns about fracking-induced earth tremors in Fylde, at a site operated by Cuadrilla on Preston New Road.
On Wednesday Labour announced that it will speed up its move to ban fracking once and for all, at its annual conference.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced that the Government will legislate for a ban on fracking at the earliest opportunity.
Laying out a clear intent to protect local communities and the natural environment, Miliband pledged that Labour will launch a campaign in nearly 200 constituencies to “Send the Frackers Packing”, after Reform UK has pledged to bring back fracking.
Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, has campaigned against fracking, and said: “Lancashire deserves better than to be treated as an experiment for a failed industry by Reform, and I’m delighted the Labour government are protecting residents.
‘’We secured a ban on fracking for good reason. It doesn't lower energy bills, it doesn't create jobs, earthquakes devalue homes, water contamination harms public health, and drilling the earth damages our environment.
The Government’s forthcoming ban will prevent fracking from taking place anywhere in the UK, ensuring the 187 constituencies that sit above shale gas areas are protected from dangerous, unsafe operations.
Speaking at Labour Party Conference, Ed Miliband said: "Fracking will not take a penny off bills. It will not create long-term sustainable jobs. It will trash our climate commitments, and it is dangerous and deeply harmful to our natural environment.
"The good news is that communities have fought back and won this fight before and will do so again.
"Friends, we sent those frackers packing. I say: let's ban fracking and vow to send this bunch of frackers packing too."
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