Reform Mayor Andrea Jenkyns Actively Courts US Oil Executive to Advance Fracking in Lincolnshire
Exclusive documents obtained by the Guardian reveal that Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the Reform party mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, has personally reached out to the head of an American oil and gas dynasty in a bid to promote fracking within her county. This move comes after Egdon Resources, a British subsidiary of the US-based Heyco Energy, announced a significant gas discovery in the Gainsborough Trough area of Lincolnshire last year.
Confidential Outreach and Support for Fracking
According to records released under a freedom of information request, Jenkyns contacted Egdon Resources in June, expressing her strong support for fracking. In her message, she explicitly asked how she "could help with your recent gas find in my county." The company's CEO, Mark Abbott, responded within minutes, offering to meet and discuss the potential for gas extraction in Lincolnshire and the surrounding regions.
Fracking has been effectively banned in England since 2019 due to concerns about triggering earthquakes. However, Jenkyns has demonstrated a keen interest in reviving the practice, having met with fracking companies at least four times since her initial contact with Egdon. A confidential presentation from Heyco, shared with Jenkyns, downplayed worries about toxic chemicals in fracking fluid and provided rebuttals to common criticisms, tailored specifically to the Gainsborough Trough project.
Opposition to Net Zero and Renewable Energy
Jenkyns is a vocal critic of net zero policies, which she has labeled a "con," and has lodged multiple objections to renewable energy projects in Lincolnshire, including solar farms and pylons. In a notable instance, she and other Reform officials opposed a community solar scheme aimed at providing energy to a fire station and leisure center, citing unsubstantiated safety concerns about battery fires. This opposition led to a revised funding application that reduced the project's capacity and savings.
Following her meetings with fracking executives, Jenkyns launched the Lincolnshire Opposes Renewable Eyesores (Lore) campaign, echoing Egdon's claims about the benefits of fracking. She pledged to equip residents with skills for drilling under a future Reform government, a sentiment captured in her social media posts declaring "it's time to ditch net zero."
Connections to Climate Sceptics and Political Backing
Egdon's owner, George Yates, is a prominent Trump donor and member of a longstanding New Mexico oil and gas family with strong Republican ties. Yates has criticized net zero as pseudo-scientific and falsely attributed high UK energy prices to climate policies, despite global market trends being the primary driver. He has also maintained links with the climate-sceptic Global Warming Policy Foundation, hosting its directors for lectures that framed Europe's net zero agenda as a threat.
In meetings with Jenkyns and her officials, Yates presented analyses on the positive impacts of shale gas development for Lincolnshire. Emails from these discussions outline plans to build support for fracking, including potential visits to US shale operations and further engagements with Yates and his daughter.
Controversy and Local Opposition
Fracking remains highly controversial in the UK, with polls showing 51% opposition. Even Reform-led councils in Lancashire and North Yorkshire have opposed similar gas extraction projects. Richard Davies, Conservative group leader at Lincolnshire county council, highlighted the divisive nature of fracking, questioning the risks and environmental impacts behind the marketing spin.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero reiterated the government's intention to ban fracking permanently, aiming to position Britain as a clean energy superpower. Despite this, Jenkyns and her team continue to advocate for fossil fuel development, as evidenced by their visits to local oil and gas firms like Star Energy, which holds fracking licences in the Gainsborough Trough area.
When approached for comment, Yates emphasized his engagement with diverse viewpoints and transparency in political donations, while Jenkyns and Greater Lincolnshire council representatives did not respond to requests. The revelations underscore ongoing tensions between fossil fuel advocacy and renewable energy transitions in local governance.
