英语听力精选进阶版 7352（在线收听）

英国政府邀请能源公司参与争议性的液压破碎法在英国各地开采能源的竞标。液压破碎法的原理是在高压情况下将水、沙子和化学物质注入页岩岩石，迫使岩层开裂从而释放石油或天然气。反对者认为液压破碎法会对环境造成巨大破坏。

Around half of the area of the UK is being opened up for exploration. But there's expected to be particular interest in the north of England, which is thought to contain enough shale gas to power Britain for decades.

The licensing round is intended to accelerate the exploitation of shale, but it's only the first step. Firms also need a series of planning, environmental, and health and safety consents.

While the government hopes the industry will generate jobs and reduce our dependency on imported gas, it will not be at any cost. The government is tightening the rules around drilling in National Parks.

Fracking will not be banned, but it's likely to be permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

Glossary 词汇表

shale 页岩

accelerate 加快速度

consents 许可，允许

dependency 依赖

tightening the rules 加强条规限制

banned 被禁止

exceptional 特别的，例外的