Manufacturers support Lancashire shale gas production

The support for shale gas comes as a new policy paper is published by the North West Energy Task Force, which claims that natural gas from UK shale "could lead to cheaper, more reliable energy and a new £34 billion supply chain". Debbie Baker, head of public affairs for GrowHow, the UK's only remaining primary nitrogen fertiliser producer and a signatory of the letter, said: "Gas is our primary raw material. It is the single biggest factor in determining our viability as a business." Marcus Addison, managing director of specialist engineering firm Addison Group, added: "From a jobs and investment perspective, development of Lancashire's onshore natural gas makes complete sense. As we have seen in the United States, simply having access to reliable sources of energy has helped lead to a renaissance in America's industrial heartlands." The manufacturers said: "As a manufacturing hub employing over 320,000 people, the North West stands to gain the most from a new and thriving onshore energy industry in its region." Mike Damms, chairman of the Lancashire Manufacturing Group and chief executive of the East Lancashire Chambers of Commerce, said: "To continue producing in the UK, manufacturers need greater assurance on energy supplies. Shale gas can play an important part in providing that guarantee."