Stalled shale gas developments trapped at the local government level have a chance to see the light of day sooner after U.K. authorities approved a fast-track process for such applications.

The change, announced Aug. 13, took aim at slow-moving councils known for failing to make decisions on shale gas applications submitted by companies within the mandated 16-week timeframe. The move, which became effective immediately, gives the U.K. government’s communities secretary authority to intervene and approve, or deny, shale exploration permits. The government also has the right to reside over appeals on a case-by-case basis.

“To ensure we get this industry up and running we can’t have a planning system that sees applications dragged out for months, or even years on end,” said U.K. Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) Secretary Amber Rudd. “Oversight by the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency of shale developments makes our commitment to safety and the environment crystal clear. We now need, above all else, a system that delivers timely planning decisions and works effectively for local people and developers.”

The new rules come as the U.K. continues its efforts to grow oil and gas production to combat decades of declining of output, mainly from mature fields in the North Sea.

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Although the steps are being taken amid lower commodity prices—a result of a supply-demand imbalance—the goals of growing production and lessening dependency on others remain. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates the U.K. has about 26 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable shale gas.

The permitting process has been among the issues slowing shale development for Cuadrilla Resources. In July, the company said it would file appeals after the Lancashire County Council’s Development Control Committee refused to approve two applications for temporary shale gas exploration sites. In a news release, Cuadrilla said it wanted to drill, hydraulically fracture and test gas flow from up to four explorations at the Preston New Road and Roseacre Wood sites.

Cuadrilla CEO Francis Egan acknowledged the relatively newness of shale exploration in the U.K and understood that some would prefer the company did not appeal.

“But I am confident that we will demonstrate to Lancashire and the UK that shale gas exploration and fracking is not only safe but represents a very real opportunity to create jobs, fuel businesses, heat UK homes and stimulate significant local economic growth,” he said in a news release.

Shale development in the U.K. has faced several aboveground issues. The first shale well drilled triggered minor earthquakes, leading to an 18-month moratorium that allowed time for environmental studies. The moratorium was lifted by year-end 2012; however, concerns—including about groundwater contamination—linger for some.

The U.K. government on Aug. 13 assured local communities that they will still have a say in the process.

“Local communities will remain fully involved in planning decisions with any shale application—whether decided by councils or government, and demanding planning rules to ensure shale development happens only at appropriate sites remain unchanged,” DECC said in a news release. “On top of this, strong safety and environmental safeguards are also already in place through the regulatory regime to ensure shale exploration and extraction is safe and only happens in appropriate places.”

The new rules, the DECC said, are intended to avoid long delays that mean uncertainty for businesses and residents.

Companies pursuing shale developments and others reacted favorably.

“IGas has more than 30 years’ experience of safely and successfully extracting oil and gas onshore in Britain and we will continue to ensure that any risks or environmental impacts are minimized,” IGas Energy said in a prepared statement. “We also recognize that long-term sustainable community engagement is critical to ensuring we maintain our social license to operate, and we are committed to working closely with our neighbors in the areas in which we operate.”

Working with Total, GDF and INEOS, IGas is targeting shale gas as part of a five-year development plan for its East Midlands and North West assets. IGas, which acquired Dart Energy in 2014, has been increasing its acreage in U.K. shale basins. Completed exploration work includes acquisition and interpretation of seismic and geophysical data, the company said in June. Future work includes more seismic work as well as drilling, hydraulic fracturing and flow testing to test resource potential.

Jenifer Baxter, head of energy and environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, also welcomed the regulatory change.

“It is important that government steps up efforts to move our energy future away from coal. Gas, and in this case shale gas, provides an alternative that will have a real impact on reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Baxter said. “However, a vital part of ensuring a joined up approach to creating our 21st century energy infrastructure is ensuring local planning committees have the tools and information to make decisions for their communities.”

Additional changes are expected later this year.

The government said it will propose a new sovereign wealth fund which will allow local communities with shale gas developments to share in their financial gains.

Velda Addison can be reached at vaddison@hartenergy.com or via Twitter @veldaaddison.