Drilling for shale 'will not damage drinking water quality'

Members of the Energy and Climate Change Committee have dismissed fears that drilling for shale will have an adverse impact on UK drinking water quality.

The group has sanctioned plans to excavate for shale, after quashing concerns that the process would be bad for the environment.

Chairman Tim Yeo said a lot of "hot air" had been circulating about the extraction of shale, which the government believes will prove to be a more economical source of energy in the future.

"Our inquiry found no evidence to support the main concern - that UK water supplies would be put at risk," he remarked.

However, Mr Yeo did concede that the Department of Energy & Climate Change must monitor the operations of firms that are drilling for shale to make sure water and air quality are not being adversely affected.

Meanwhile, the committee is planning to hold a "one-off oral evidence session" in June 2011 to discuss the UK nuclear power industry in light of events in Japan.

Posted by Lauren Steadman