“Frackin’-hell!” – in Surrey?

Epsom and Ewell has so far escaped the grant of licences for shale-gas exploration. Other Boroughs in Surrey are targeted. 25th September Business and Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg announced: “In light of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of energy, strengthening our energy security is an absolute priority, and – as the Prime Minister said – we are going to ensure the UK is a net energy exporter by 2040. To get there we will need to explore all avenues available to us through solar, wind, oil and gas production – so it’s right that we’ve lifted the pause to realise any potential sources of domestic gas.” Including through new oil and gas licences and shale gas extraction.

^{Red blocks are areas licensed for shale-gas exploration. Purple triangles are local anti-fracking protest groups}

Friends of the Earth has provided a map and statistics showing the areas and licences for shale-gas exploration in Surrey.

Constituency	Number of licences	Licences total area (sq m)	Proportion of constituency under licence
Guildford	2	54,008,711	28.6%
East Surrey	5	122,524,280	47.2%
Mole Valley	3	59,441,785	16.1%
South West Surrey	3	94,052,391	36.7%
Reigate	3	35,937,442	32.1%

Between now and 2040 will Epsom and Ewell’s natural resources have to play their part in energy self-sufficiency?

Let us know your views.