Mining/Fracking - old and new

Bru they have just closed the last deep coal mine and it would cost far to much to start opening them again. Short term planning comes to mind. Although britain sits on millions of tons of coal. Anyone who thinks fracking is good should really see all the bad publicity about it, including water from the tap being flammable.

And equally you should read the independant  scientific and engineering literature to balance that sensationalist anti fracking propagander. Much of the north sea gas has been fractured, its not a new technology. There are waters in the US that are flamable, but that is nothing to do with fracking, they are naturally occuring. 

PS I dont think it is good - I'd much rather see it left in the ground - we are destroying this planet, the only one we have and are wasting its finite resources. 

Unfortunately, its not something we can do unilaterally, without returning to the stone age, whilst other carry on regardless. We are stuck in an energy race and cannot afford to take our foot off the gas first!

So why were coalmines allowed to shut to satisfy one person.

Thats not a debate I'm going to be able to win with an ex miner now is it!!! 

Climates getting warmer, I'm not complaining but do feel sorry for future generations, how long will the earth be able to sustain life.

So why isn't there investment in renewable energy, like wind turbines, movement of the sea, power from rivers, haven't we got these things in this country. Pity we cannot discuss the true reasons, I would but the thread would be closed.

The main reason is they are all rubbish!

Offshore wind is about the most expensive form of electricity going and it is unreliable (as in it only generates when the wind is blowing)

Add to that, that most "renewable" infrastructure means that it will never pay back the carbon needed to make and install the equipment in its useful lifetime - well you may as well just burn fossil fuels.

We should be ploughing money into fusion reactors - if we can only develop the technology to safely harness the power of the sun, making limitless clean energy.... 

Climates getting warmer, I'm not complaining but do feel sorry for future generations, how long will the earth be able to sustain life.

Agree with you there MD!

So why isn't there investment in renewable energy, like wind turbines, movement of the sea, power from rivers, haven't we got these things in this country. Pity we cannot discuss the true reasons, I would but the thread would be closed.

Spot on MD, it would appear they are trying to force us in the direction of Fracking by removing subsidies on solar energy and restricting planning for turbines. One local Con. MP was recently bragging that they stopped a farmer from filling his field with solar panels and refused planning for three turbines to be erected in an old local quarry. We have only too well seen the power that our rivers can produce and I can’t believe that we could not harness the power of our tides. Yes it would require considerable investment but the long term benefits far outweigh that.   

Here's some more info for you nevers, my con MP as just told a constituent that parliament do not get involved with Planning, excuse me what's happened at Blackpool, parliament have got involved. Sorry but they change the rules whenever they want. 

I could say more MD but I don't want the thread to close.

One word manipulation.

Folks

Just a gentle reminder about the forum rules covering political comments. 

Please leave political points out of the discussion.

Cheers

Bugs

That's me finished no more comments on this thread political or otherwise. 

So why isn't there investment in renewable energy, like wind turbines, movement of the sea, power from rivers, haven't we got these things in this country. Pity we cannot discuss the true reasons, I would but the thread would be closed.

Spot on MD, it would appear they are trying to force us in the direction of Fracking by removing subsidies on solar energy and restricting planning for turbines. One local Con. MP was recently bragging that they stopped a farmer from filling his field with solar panels and refused planning for three turbines to be erected in an old local quarry. We have only too well seen the power that our rivers can produce and I can’t believe that we could not harness the power of our tides. Yes it would require considerable investment but the long term benefits far outweigh that.   

You have answered your own question.....subsidies!

Whilst non of the renewables are economically viable without subsidies paid for by grannies in fuel poverty, fracking will be self funding AND generate tax revenue for the government! 

Many renewable, like tidal, have massive environmental and ecosystem wide implications.  If they were easy, effective, reliable they would have been done already!!!