Blue and Green: The government has launched an official consultation to change and simplify the rules on access to land for energy companies, which would allow drilling below 300m from the surface and would offer compensation to communities.
Under the new rules, companies will have to pay 20,000 per well to those living above the land and will have to clearly notify local people. In exchange, they would have the right of access for oil, shale gas and deep geothermal operations below 300m.
Energy minister...