News Summary: Energy firm halts work over protests

FRACK FLAK: Energy company Cuadrilla Resources Ltd. has temporarily suspended drilling at an exploration site in southern England amid protests from residents and environmentalists opposed to shale gas extraction.

ABOUT CUADRILLA: Cuadrilla is leading work in Britain on the extraction of gas by hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The company says its operation at Balcombe involves exploratory drilling for oil and will not include fracking, but it has not ruled it out in future. It plans to resume work as soon as it's safe to do so.

OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS: The British government says tapping underground gas reserves could transform Britain's energy supply, but critics say it risks despoiling the countryside.