According to a Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) poll, public support for fracking in the UK has fallen to a new low.
The survey which is repeated every few months, has seen a steady reduction in public enthusiasm for fracking over the past few years. At the same time support for renewable energy has increased and hit an all time high in their latest survey.
Public support for renewable power has peaked at 81% with just 4% opposing it. This is in sharp contrast to just 19% of those polled showing support for fracking, which has declined from a high of 29% two years ago. 31% surveyed said they were against the exploration for shale gas.
The use of shale gas for future energy has been continually advocated by the Government whilst subsidies for renewable energy including solar and wind power have been cut.
Chief executive of green energy company Good Energy, Juliet Davenport OBE said: ''The message from the public is loud and clear. 81% of us back renewables for our energy – people want to see a transition to a renewable future here in the UK.''
Ken Cronin, chief executive of a trade body that represents the shale industry expressed public concern over future energy security. He commented: ''The solution is to source energy from the ground beneath our feet and the industry must continue its efforts to ensure that factual evidence based information is provided to the public rather than scaremongering and myths.''
In response to the surveys findings, DECC commented that half of those asked didn't have a view on fracking. A DECC spokesman added: ''The vast majority (88%) said that they do not know a lot about fracking. This is exactly why we want people to have access to all the facts so they can see past the myths and understand the benefits which include greater energy security, more jobs and growth.''
