Ineos challenge fracking ban in court
ENERGY tycoon Jim Ratcliffe yesterday launched a legal challenge to Scotland’s fracking ban.
His Grangemouth-based firm, Ineos, claim the SNP’s decision was unlawful and “financially costly”.
Ineos hope to secure a judicial review of the ban, confirmed last October after a two-year temporary veto. Fracking works by blasting water under pressure to fracture rock and release natural gas.
Anti-fracking campaigners say the process harms the environment. A Holyrood consultation found strong public opposition and experts have cast doubt on its economic worth.
But Ineos were furious at the ban, saying it will stop 3100 jobs being created. Director Tom Pickering said: “The decision in October was a major blow to Scottish science and its engineering industry, as well as being financially costly to Ineos, other businesses and indeed the nation as a whole.
“We have serious concerns about the legitimacy of the ban and have therefore applied to the court to ask that it review the competency of the decision to introduce it.”
But Holyrood Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The Scottish Government’s position was endorsed by the Scottish Parliament in October and follows detailed assessment of the evidence and consultation with the public.”