LONDON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Greenpeace defended a campaign in Great Britain on hydraulic fracturing on private land against industry critics who said it was misleading.
Greenpeace launched a web campaign dubbed "Not for Shale" to encourage homeowners to refuse permits for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on their property.
The environmental advocacy group says on the website wrongmove.org that drilling on private property may constitute trespassing even if companies have a permit.
The U.K. Onshore Operators Group said in a statement Monday the Greenpeace campaign was "extremely misleading." UKOOG said "'landowners have no rights to the oil or gas" but must be informed of any drilling activity.
"Operators in this country are abiding by the law which states that activities at depths of over a mile under the ground do not impact landowners, however in line with the law, operators will inform all landowners in a very clear and transparent manner," it said.
Greenpeace defended its position by saying it wasn't arguing companies are violating the law, "only that if they frack under property when the owner has objected, and they have not obtained a statutory right through the courts, they would be."
