Fracking in Yorkshire – The Big Debate

Fracking debate about the future of the Yorkshire Dales at University of Sheffield on 30 October 2014.
 

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, in conjunction with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), will aim to answer questions about the fracking, what it is, and the government's plans for it, with a debate at the University of Sheffield on October 30.

Hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’, is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to release natural gas inside. Many see fracking as an effective way for the UK to harvest its own fuel supplies, while others argue it’s environmentally unfriendly, and unsustainable in the long-term.

The event’s keynote speaker is Paul Blomfield MP (Sheffield Central) and panellists in the debate will include Jim Watson (UKERC), Jane Thomas (Friends of the Earth) and Douglas Bain (Dart Energy).

Steve Wainwright, Chairperson of the Institution's Yorkshire Region, said:

“With the Yorkshire region key to future Government plans for fracking, there has never been a more pressing need to discuss this technology armed with correct factual information. We would invite all the people of Yorkshire to share in this debate about our future with this technology in this region.
 
“Our aim is to hear some of the evidence based arguments for and against fracking, in order that attendees will be better informed afterwards and have a more facts, whichever side of the argument they are associated with.  

“We therefore hope that members of the public, as well as engineers of all disciplines with an interest in this area, will come along to what should be an extremely informative and lively debate."

For, against, or just plain confused, the debate will take place at 6.30pm on 30 October in the Students Union Auditorium at the University of Sheffield.
 

Photo: Roger Cope