Fracking? We are not doing it, insists minister
SNP ministers yesterday gave the strongest indication yet they are set to ban fracking.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said fracking was not mentioned in a new climate change strategy because ‘we are not doing it’.
Previously, ministers insisted they would wait to analyse the results of new research before reaching a final decision.
The comments sparked claims Scotland is set to miss out on an economic boom because of the SNP’s ‘dogmatic’ approach.
They came after the SNP published a new climate change strategy up to 2032.
Questioned on why there was no reference to fracking, Miss Cunningham said: ‘Fracking isn’t mentioned because we are not doing it. In these circumstances, factoring something in that you are not actually doing at the moment is not something we had considered was of much use.’
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, involves pumping water at high pressure into rock, forcing it to crack and release gas.
Its supporters say it can help provide energy for decades to come, boost Scotland’s economy and help bring down household energy bills.
But critics claim it could pollute water, decimate house prices, create greenhouse gases and even cause earthquakes.
Jim Ratcliffe is chairman and chief executive of Ineos, which is based in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire. The company is poised to be the industry’s biggest player if the Scottish Government gives fracking the go-ahead.
In November, Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse revealed a decision on whether to allow or ban fracking will be made by the end of 2017.
Last night, Scottish Conservative energy spokesman Alexander Burnett said: ‘This is a clear hint from the SNP that it plans to ditch shale extraction altogether. That would be a damaging decision economi-
‘Damaging decision’
cally and would risk Scotland being left behind on energy.
‘Both the SNP and Labour’s objection to fracking is dogmatic. They foolishly fail to realise the importance of shale to facilities like Grangemouth. If Scotland were to develop its own fracking industry, it could lead to lower energy bills.’
An economic study by KPMG, said 3,100 jobs could be created by allowing fracking, while bringing investment of £6.5billion. It also found the Scottish economy could benefit by up to £4.6billion.
But the report warned that if projects were slow to develop, spending in Scotland could be only £500million up to 2062, with only 470 jobs created.
Scottish Labour environment spokesman Claudia Beamish said: ‘Roseanna Cunningham needs to clarify the SNP position on fracking, as it looks as confused as ever. It’s a mess.
‘The SNP needs to clear the air on fracking.’
Miss Cunningham said: ‘We are taking a cautious and evidence-led approach. I know the Energy Minister is about to launch a full public consultation on this.
‘In fact, in the pre-statement conversation chit chat, he was actually asking me about some issues in relation to that consultation.
‘Once responses have been independently analysed, there will be consideration of the full range of evidence and recommendations will be made.’