Stress the economic benefits of shale

Voters polled in Pennsylvania want to see drilling for gas continue, and they want to see it taxed. A poll

found support for drilling and a tax on that production was strong across party lines and regions.

That's why I keep saying that shale gas proposers must focus on economic benefits too, not just on the environment, where they will always be on the defensive.

Well, usually.

The leader of the Welsh Assembly has called for the number of windfarms being built across Mid Wales to be restricted. First Minister Carwyn Jones made the plea.

He said large scale developments of windfarms were “unacceptable” and added his Government would not support the construction of pylons in rural areas to connect windfarms to the National Grid.

He has called for Westminster to allow the Assembly to make decisions about major energy projects affecting Wales.

Explorers need to promise economic benefits to communities where they want to drill. Not via various layers of government, who may or may not decide to let some of the benefits trickle down to them, but directly as a share of profits. Call it a partnership.

If it then seems likely that the immediate area will become better off than its neighbourhoods, why not? What would be wrong with that?