by Gareth Hughes Gold rush or fools gold? Fracking and the
‘Golden Age of Gas’ This week the International Energy Agency
has published a report into the future of gas, with a focus on
the controversial fracking method. The report “Golden Rules for
a Golden Age of Gas,” declared aim is to pave the way for the
widespread development of unconventional gas resources on a
large scale, boosting overall gas supply and making the golden
age of gas a reality, however notes there are legitimate public
concerns about the associated environmental and social impacts.
I agree with Reuter’s John Kemp who says the IEA’s golden rules
for gas are a missed opportunity because the report is mostly
couched in vague principles so broad they are virtually
meaningless. I mean, who could disagree with “treat water
responsibly” and “ensure a consistently high level of
environmental performance”? In New Zealand, we have very little
active regulation of fracking activities. Taranaki only started
consenting the actual fracking activity l