- Scientists say UK is sitting on enough shale gas for 40 years' supply
- But critics warn fracking can pollute water and could cause earthquakes
- New rules will make it easier to fracking firms to ignore objections
Ministers are preparing an overhaul of trespass legislation to make it easier for firms to ignore objections.
One source said the reform, which will infuriate anti-fracking campaigners, was likely to be included in the Queen's Speech setting out the Government's plans for its final year.
Chancellor George Osborne is offering generous tax breaks to kickstart the technology. He believes fracking for shale gas could herald an energy revolution that will boost the economy, make Britain more self-sufficient and put an end to sky-high bills from greedy energy firms.
Comment: Obama tells EU to do more to cut reliance on Russian gas - Will give them U.S. supplies (...forget U.S. taxpayers)