Britain lifted its ban on shale gas exploration this week despite environmental fears as it aims to become a European leader in a sector that has transformed the U.S. energy market.
The approval of shale gas fracking from Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey comes approximately a year and a half after UK authorities halted the unconventional exploration process after it set off earth tremors at one site.

Shale reserves have been viewed as a way to counter the UK’s fall in natural gas production.

Europe’s largest gas consumer, Britain in May 2011 put a temporary stop to hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” for shale gas after earth tremors were measured near the site close to Blackpool.