RUTH PICKETT

Here are a few we suggest you could include in your email - but please make it personal!

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1. Ruining the unspoilt views of the heritage coast 
   This is an area of outstanding natural beauty next to a national park, Europa plan to build a 100ft drilling rig which would ruin the landscape

2. Damage to wildlife & biodiversity
   The vibrations from seismic testing, the pollution from the gas flares and machinery could disturb and harm birds and animals

3. Potential tremors and damage to the fragile cliffs
   The area is above the Peak fault line and the cliffs are fragile. Europa plan to drill and fracture the rock for miles underneath the whole area - they claim their "proppant squeeze" technique is less dangerous than hydraulic fracking but it still involves fracturing the rock, which might cause earth tremors, subsidence, or damage to the cliffs. 

4. Air pollution
   The fumes from machinery, heavy goods vehicles and the CO2, sulphur dioxide and methane produced by the rig will pollute the atmosphere, ruining the air quality in an area close to popular walking routes, local schools and houses.

5. Noise pollution 
   The peaceful atmosphere of nearby properties will be ruined by the banging and drilling coming from the drill site.

6. Light pollution
   The site will be floodlit 24/7 which will ruin the natural darkness of the coastal area and could drive away nocturnal birds and animals like owls and bats.

7. Increase in traffic from HGVs
   Over 1000 heavy goods vehicles will have to travel on small country roads, causing noise, pollution and carrying toxic chemicals

8. Potential water supply contamination
   To reach the gas, Europa have to drill through the natural underground water supply. If anything goes wrong with this, it could contaminate the water supply

9. Reduction in house prices
   The rig will be visible for miles away (unlike at Sanddown in the south which Europa are using as their example to claim house prices won’t be affected). It will be the first thing that comes up on an environmental survey, making it difficult for people to sell their homes

10. Reduction in tourism
    The area depends on tourists who come for the peace, quiet and unspoilt views. This proposal could adversely affect the area’s biggest economy.

11. No reduction in UK or local gas bills
    Europa plan to sell the gas on the open market - it won’t be available locally and won’t reduce gas bills. The gas will financially benefit Europa and their shareholders, not residents. 

12. Fossil fuels cause climate change
    Europa plan to continue drilling for 20 years, the emissions from the burning of the gas they plan to extract will further add to the climate crisis, wrecking our planet for future generations.