British support for fracking has dipped yet further, reaching a record low.
A government poll found just 19% in favour. At the same time, backing for renewable energy rose to a record high of 31%.
The public attitude survey is conducted every few months and has indicated that the public are increasingly turning away from energy extraction by fracking with support sliding away steadily over the last two years.
Back then, 29% felt that shale gas exploration was desired but that has dwindled to 19% today.
Perhaps tellingly, however, the majority (46%) say they are neither for nor against fracking. This percentage has not changed over the life of the attitude tracker.
But a new high of 81% said they were in favour of renewable power and this figure, too, has remained high over recent years.
The British government is hoping that shale gas will prove to be a source of energy for the UK in the future. It has said it is going “all out for shale” and has been cutting subsidies for solar and wind power.
The poll suggests that UK residents are not so certain.
Fracking involves injecting water, sand and chemicals at high pressure into rocks deep underground to unlock trapped gas. Many are wary of the environmental impact of this method, but companies involved say operations are no risk to people or the environment.
The process was banned in 2011 after the shale gas firm Cuadrilla caused minor earth tremors when it fracked a well in near Blackpool,Lancashire.
On Friday hundreds of people gathered to protestd against fracking in North Yorkshire as the council considers whether to allow UK firm Third Energy to drill at a site near the village of Kirby Misperton in Ryedale this year.
It would be the first fracking in the UK since it was banned.
A decision is expected on Monday.
