Letter: Alternative energy sources needed

I disagree with him in his support of "indigenous shale gas and other less popular energy sources."

This includes fracking.

Property prices have fallen in areas with fracking.

It is a role of councillors and MPs to try and protect the areas they represent.

Owen Paterson should be supporting his constituents in Dudleston, near Ellesmere, who are opposing fracking, rather than undermining them.

Also it is interesting how he dismisses the efficacy of alternative renewable sources such as windfarms.

In fact windfarms had a record output during the recent gales. For the first time, windfarms produced more energy than our nuclear power stations, with wind providing nearly 20 per cent of our electricity on Saturday, October 18.

Even in normal conditions, a windfarm only produces about 14 per cent of our electricity.

Of course, I agree that windfarms must be located in the right place, which is why I opposed a local application to build a wind turbine between Malpas and No Man's Heath, which would blight both villages.

In general, far more of our electricity could, and should, be generated from renewable sources.

Charles Lowick Higgie, Malpas