With federal permits in hand, British shale gas pioneer Cuadrilla Resources said Friday it was committed to a light environmental permit despite public uproar.

The British Environment Agency gave the company permits to carry out shale gas exploration at its Roseacre Wood site in Lanchashire.

"Following such a rigorous review and public consultation of all of our permit applications by the regulator, this unequivocally demonstrates that, as we have committed, our proposed exploratory operations will be carried out responsibly ensuring the local environment is protected," Cuadrilla Chief Executive Officer Francis Egan said in a statement.

The British government said the permits granted to the company spell out ways in which it needs to protect regional groundwater and surface water supplies, ensure air quality is within safe limits and dispose, store and manage waste effectively. The permits follow two public consultation periods that began in June.

Steve Molyneux, environment manager for Lancashire, said the review process was rigorous.

"I am confident that the strict controls set out in the permits to manage waste, safe flaring of gas and conditions to safeguard local water resources will ensure that people and the environment remain protected," he said in a statement.

The British bureau of advocacy group Friends of the Earth said it had questions about the strength of vetting for Cuadrilla's permits. Campaigner Helen Rimmer in a statement emailed to UPI said the permits need serious scrutiny.

"A far better solution to energy security and to boost the local economy is renewables and energy saving, which would create more jobs than fracking and help tackle climate change at the same time," she said.

The British government said shale natural gas could be a low-carbon option that helps reduce the dependence on foreign suppliers.

Cuadrilla estimates there may be as much as 200 trillion cubic feet of shale natural gas in Lancashire.

Members of the Lancashire County Council last week agreed to hold off a final decision on planning applications for hydraulic fracturing submitted by the company. Cuadrilla asked for a delay after the council last week suggested it would deny the permit because of noise pollution concerns.