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Oil and gas developer Halite Energy has been given permission to move forward with its controversial Preesall gas storage project by energy minister Lord Bourne.
The energy minister has granted planning consent for the project, which would be a demand response facility, with gas entering the national system in response to market conditions.
Bourne said investment in the new infrastructure was “essential” in keeping the lights on and bills down.
“This is a major project which will benefit the local economy by creating jobs and stimulating businesses,” he added. “Gas is also the greenest fossil fuel and helps us lower our carbon emissions, which is important in the UK’s move to a cleaner energy future.”
The decision fell to Lord Bourne in May, following mounting concerns over an assumed conflict of interest involving energy secretary Amber Rudd, sister of PR guru Roland Rudd whose firm has lobbied Government to back the development of the project.
The 900 million cubic metre gas storage facility is proposed to be constructed on the east side of the Wyre Estuary at Preesall in Lancashire, and will be used to store and extract gas from local underground salt caverns.
It has faced a protracted two-year battle to gain consent following its initial refusal by government in April 2013 because of geological concerns. Lobby firm Finsbury worked with developer Halite Energy to appeal the decision, and ministers announced last April that they would reconsider the proposals after a decision to reject the project was overturned in the High Court.
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