With debates raging for and against fracking in the UK, specifically in the North West you could be forgiven for thinking that we in the North East have no such concerns. However slowly it is coming to light that we too will be facing the uncertainties of a similar method of mining to fracking, namely Underground Coal Gasification.
In this process coal seems are identified, than a shaft is drilled to the coal seem to pump oxygen and then the coal is ignited and the gases released from this reaction are collected via another shaft for power generation (picture above). In this presentation from the Underground Coal Gasification Association the licences that have been awarded to various mining companies in the UK can be viewed, page 18 shows the sites off the North East coast.
If you search for Underground Coal Gasification on the internet almost all the results are those of proponents of this coal mining technique, though most studies also cite to some degree that the inherent problem is that there is no way of ensuring that there will not be any seepage of toxic chemicals from the coal seems. The coal seems are situated under the seabed and possibly poses a threat to businesses which rely on the water quality and the environment around our coast.
It is impossible to know what the dangers of this relatively unknown process of mining fossil fuels are but as energy prices rise governments are likely to rubber stamp these expensive operations in the false hope of being energy independent and at the cost of greener technologies which offer true independence from our addiction to fossil fuels.
National grass-roots organisations are starting to appear against these uncertain technologies for which there has been no public debate before the awarding of licences or explanation of the processes involved and possible dangers associated. These include Frack Off, Britain & Ireland Frack Free (facebook) and No Dash for Gas amongst others.
Also join the Frack Free Tyne & Wear group (Facebook)
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