The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
MSPs to have say on fracking
The will of the Scottish Parliament will be respected when the Scottish Government makes a decision on the use of fracking, energy minister Paul Wheelhouse has said. A public consultation on the controversial gas extraction technique is due to close at the end of May. MSPs are to be given a chance to vote before Scottish ministers come to a final decision, expected by the end of the year. In a statement at Holyrood, Mr Wheelhouse said: “We are adopting a carefully-considered process for reaching a decision on the future of unconventional oil and gas that ensure the views of the public, the evidence
“Of course, we will respect the will of the Parliament”
base and the views of Parliament are fully considered.
“Once the consultation closes and the results have been independently analysed and published, I reiterate our previous commitment to present our recommendation to Parliament and provide an opportunity to vote on it.
“After this, the Scottish Government will come to a judgment on the future of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland.”
He added: “Of course, we will respect the will of the Parliament on this issue while also following the statutory assessments and procedures required.”
A moratorium on fracking in Scotland has been in place since January 2015.
It prevents hydraulic fracturing for shale oil and gas, and coal bed methane extraction, from taking place while the government investigates evidence on its potential impact.