UK gov't gives approval to resume fracking

(AP) Britain's government has given the go-ahead to resume fracking the controversial practice of drilling for gas trapped in shale in the U.K..

Shale gas exploration had been suspended in Britain last year after a series of small tremors near an exploration site in Lancashire in northwest England.

Edward Davey, the energy and climate change secretary, said Thursday that shale gas exploration promises a new potential energy resource for Britain that could reduce its reliance on imported gas.

Davey added that new controls will be put in place to reduce the risk of seismic activity. However, environmental activists oppose the move, fearing the landscape will be scarred.