UK to allow Fracking [Hydraulic Fracturing] for shale gas

In a controversial move, Mr. Edward Davey, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary of the UK has granted permission for exploratory fracking operations ( See http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/dec/13/fracking-shale-gas-uk-davey). This move comes even as the rest of western Europe is vehemently opposed to it due to several reasons such as environmental and public health concerns etc.. The topic is particularly pertinent to this group because the technology of hydraulic fracturing or fracking as it is popularly called requires ENORMOUS quantities of fresh water - a precious resource that is already scarce in many parts of the world including some regions in the UK. #Fracking mixture contains (by weight) 98.3% #water and #sand + 1.7% of chemicals (approx 133 tons!) (See http://ecowatch.org/2012/meet-the-frack-family/).