English ‘leave Scots behind’ in the fracking gas revolution
Westminster green light as SNP dithers
SCOTLAND is in danger of being left behind in the great fracking revolution, it was claimed last night.
The country could even be forced to import shale gas from England after the UK Government yesterday approved the process.
As ministers south of the Border recognised the benefits of fracking – such as creating around 64,000 jobs and making the country more self-sufficient in energy – the SNP is yet to make a formal decision on the issue.
The process of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, involves pumping water at high pressure into rock, forcing it to crack and release gas.
It has, however, been heavily criticised amid fears that it could pollute water, decimate house prices, create greenhouse gases and even cause earthquakes.
But while Sajid Javid, Local Government Secretary at Westminster, overturned objections to allow the technique to go ahead, the Scottish Government has yet to provide its official position on fracking followportion ing a moratorium announced in January last year.
In addition, a Scotland-wide ban was yesterday placed on a similar process, underground coal gasification (UCG). Opponents of the SNP fear this suggests a decision against fracking too.
The first shale gas was last month shipped to Scotland from the US by energy firm Ineos, which hopes to introduce fracking here.
Scottish ministers have so far refused to take a position on the issue and snubbed an event marking the arrival of the imported fuel.
A spokesman for the energy company last night welcomed the UK Government’s decision which could spark the regeneration of manufacturing in the north of England.
He said: ‘It is sad that Scotland is falling behind England in this new and exciting industry.
‘Ineos originally planned to focus our shale effects in Scotland but because of the moratorium we have had to make the difficult decision to move jobs and investment south of the Border.’
The spokesman said that before the moratorium, Scotland had a 12-month lead and if the recommendations of an expert scientific panel had been followed, a ‘centre of excellence’ would by now be establishing itself.
This would help to retain oil and gas production skills north of the Border and replace a significant of the many jobs that are currently being lost as the North Sea declines.
Scottish Conservative energy spokesman Alexander Burnett said pressure was on the SNP to approve fracking – or see Scotland fall behind the rest of the UK.
And the MSP repeated a warning that banning the practice could see Scottish homes powered by English gas.
Mr Burnett said: ‘Clearly the decision to push on with fracking down south increases the pressure on the Scottish Government.
‘We could have a situation where Scottish homes are being powered by English shale, the very energy source the SNP wants to ban.
‘The SNP is at great pains to say how different fracking and UCG are – perhaps their biggest similarity is the SNP’s dogmatic objection to them both.’
Mr Burnett added: ‘Even the Scottish Government’s own adviser is partially blaming ministers for not having the proper regulatory regime in place as a reason for this not happening.
‘If we don’t start embracing these technologies, we risk getting left behind altogether.’
All fracking activity in the United Kingdom was suspended in 2011 after exploratory fracking by energy firm Cuadrilla at Preese Hall, Lancashire, triggered two minor earthquakes of 2.3 and 1.5 magnitude.
However, this was lifted in 2012 after experts said safety could be ensured.
Mr Javid yesterday gave permission for Cuadrilla to sink up to four wells at Preston New Road, in Fylde, Lancashire.
He overruled an earlier planning decision by Lancashire County Council, which blocked the plan following 18,000 local objections citing visual impact and traffic. Last night, the Scottish Government argued that it was yet to make a decision on fracking, and said ministers were awaiting the findings of their independent research.
A spokesman said: ‘Our approach to unconventional oil and gas will be based on expert evidence and thorough consultation with the public. We will gather all of the necessary information before announcing a way forward.
‘We have commissioned a series of independent research projects to examine potential environmental, health and economic impacts, and these are due to report shortly. This research will be published to inform the public discussion on the way forward.
‘The public consultation will take place during winter 2016-17 and the moratorium will remain in place throughout this process.’
‘Homes powered by English shale’