SNP ducks fracking decision for another year

31 Jan 2017

A decision on the future of shale extraction in Scotland will not be made for another year, it has been confirmed.

Having introduced a ban on fracking at the beginning of 2015, the SNP said today it would now make up its mind “by the end of 2017”.

The official ‘Talking Fracking’ consultation will also wait until after the council elections in May before closing.

It means the Scottish Government will have sat on its hands for three years while other parts of the UK press on with the technology.

Experts have said shale extraction could provide an economic boost for Scotland, as well as create jobs and secure future supplies.

But both the SNP and Labour have dogmatic objections to fracking, even though privately the Scottish Government claims to be sympathetic.

Despite the moratorium on fracking, Scotland currently imports daily shipments of fracked gas from the US to refine at Grangemouth.

Scottish Conservative energy spokesman Alexander Burnett said:

“This is another spineless decision by the SNP on the topic of fracking.

“It should be looking at the potential for an economic boom and a more secure supply of power for people in Scotland.

“But instead, it’s pandering to the left of the party because it doesn’t want to lose votes in May’s council elections.

“It is well-established that fracking can be explored safely and sensitively, yet the Scottish Government seems reluctant to even do that.

“And all the while, Scotland risks losing business surrounding the technology south of the border, where the government is altogether more open-minded on this.”

To see the full document, visit:

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00513575.pdf

The ministerial foreword states: “We will then ask the Scottish Parliament to vote on our recommendation, and we will come to a final decision by the end of 2017 on whether or not unconventional oil and gas has a role in Scotland’s energy mix.”

The Scottish Conservatives have long supported the need for exploring fracking north of the border, and opposed the moratorium that was introduced two years ago. http://www.scottishconservatives.com/2015/01/scottish-conservatives-oppose-moratorium-fracking/