Businesses rally to back shale
The entrepreneurs are members of the North West Energy Task Force, a coalition of more than 500 businesses and academics from across the region, which believes that natural gas from shale could create up to 64,500 jobs and generate a £33bn supply chain.
In an open letter signed by an additional 120 businesses to Lancashire County Council last week, the NWETF also said: “Tangible benefits are already being felt with the Government announcement for a new £10m national Energy College based in Blackpool, allowing for the training of the next generation of highly-skilled workers in our region.”
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Hide AdThe 120 signatories included small, medium and large companies ranging from an antiques shop to a seafood processing company.
Babs Murphy, Chief Executive of the North and Western Lancashire Chambers of Commerce, said:“Natural gas from Lancashire shale represents an opportunity to boost skilled employment and stimulate our local economy, providing a sound basis for long-term economic growth in the North West.
“In light of what this could mean for jobs, investment and taxes, I urge all businesses in the region to get behind the development of natural gas from shale.”