Fracking, politics and David Beckham - here’s the letters for May 13, 2019

The UK imports most of its natural gas in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This is the only way to effectively transport gas around the world.

Qatar is a major importer of LNG into the UK via a terminal at Milford Haven.

For one vessel to transport one cargo of 262,000 metre cubes, it will burn approximately 5,500 MT of heavy fuel oil, this is both for propulsion and maintaining the cargo at a temperature of -160 degree celsius.

Thus if you multiply this by having to import at least 120 such cargoes a year, this will amount to a massive 660,000 metric tonnes of heavy fuel oil burnt and polluting the atmosphere a year.

However, this is not the full amount of the pollution caused in our imports from Qatar. The gas fields have to be drilled in the Arabian (Persian ) Gulf, therefore platforms are erected, the gas then has to be liquefied ashore and maintained at -160 degree celsius until a vessel loads the cargo at Ras Laffan. This uses a massive amount of power. The amount of flaring all adds to the air pollution.

This being said, natural gas is the cleanest hydrocarbon fuel, producing the lowest levels of carbon emissions.

Fracking has been a huge success in the USA, to such an extent that they are now in the position of exporting LNG around the world, including the UK. In the early days, it had bad press about gas in the domestic water system. This would not be a problem in the UK as we get almost all our domestic water from reservoirs.

On a holiday, we saw the results after fracking.

It amounted to an area the size of a tennis court. A large pipe came out of the ground for a metre and then went underground again. The area was fenced off and cows roamed in the field. It was not a blot on the landscape.

If the UK allowed fracking, millions of tonnes of heavy fuel oil would be saved from polluting the atmosphere, as it could easily be piped into the national grid system, after dilution with nitrogen, and used for domestic use.

The protesters should concentrate their efforts to really make a difference by lobbying to stop countries building new coal-fired and oil-fired power stations.

Natural gas usage in domestic homes will not go away, but we should encourage households to install solar panels.

We should not have to turn valuable green belt into solar farms as we should be growing more food ourselves.

We should build up our renewable energy industries, and create thousands of jobs around the country at the same time.

If you really want to make a difference to our children’s lives then support the fracking industry. It may seem crazy, but by working together and making the industry responsible, we and our children will reap the benefits.

Andy

via email

POLITICS

Turn out to vote against Robinson

Elections for the European Parliament will be held on May 23. Many are fed up with the brexit “process “ and the futility of holding elections for a body we should have left already, or will be leaving in the next few months.

I have one very simple reason for voting : Fascism is on the rise and literally on the march across Europe and beyond, and it’s vital we nip this scourge in the bud.

In the North West we have a candidate who is a co-founder of the violent English Defence League, Tommy Robinson.

Because of the version of proportional representation used in the Euro elections, a candidate may be elected with as little as eight per cent of the vote. So a low turnout would be a gift to Robinson; the higher the turnout, the higher the number of votes he must get.

If he wins a seat, he will gain resources and a veneer of respectability to spread division, at a time when the country needs to come together.

So, if for no other reason, please use your vote in this election to stop Robinson. Leavers, remainers, Labour, Tory, Green, Lib-dem or non-voter please go to the polling station on 23 May and use your vote for an outward – looking Britain.

Sarah McGowan

Address supplied

APPEAL

Helping sufferers 
of seizures

Would your readers know what to do if they saw someone having a seizure? Would they know what was happening and how to help?

One in 100 people in the UK have epilepsy. For National Epilepsy Week (20-26 May) we are encouraging everyone to step up and learn how to keep someone with epilepsy safe when they have a seizure.

Recent statistics reveal that 36 per cent of the public would be unsure or unwilling to help somebody having a seizure. A further 57 per cent admit they have little to no knowledge about epilepsy.

Helping someone who is having a seizure is simpler than people think. Staying with someone, protecting them from further harm, and calling for help if it’s needed, are three vital steps. If in doubt, always call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Epilepsy Action has created first-aid cards that people can order in time for National Epilepsy Week. They fit neatly into a purse or wallet so people can always have information handy. Posters are also readily available to be displayed in public places, such as schools, workplaces or waiting rooms. People can order these free of charge and find out more at epilepsy.org.uk/epilepsyweek.

Your readers’ support could be life-saving.

Phillip Lee

Epilepsy Action

COURT

Beckham is not 
above the law

Re: David Beckham (pictured) banned from driving after using mobile phone at wheel of his Bentley.

No one should be above the law.

He will learn that, I hope.

Sandra Nana Miller

Address supplied