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Scottish government to announce fracking position Scottish government to announce fracking position
(about 2 hours later)
The Scottish government is set to announce its position on the future of fracking.The Scottish government is set to announce its position on the future of fracking.
Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse said he had asked to give a statement to MSPs on unconventional oil and gas. Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse will give a statement to MSPs at Holyrood on unconventional oil and gas.
There has been speculation that ministers are poised to rule out fracking north of the border.There has been speculation that ministers are poised to rule out fracking north of the border.
A moratorium on the technique has been in place since 2015, and ministers have also ruled out underground coal gasification over environmental fears.A moratorium on the technique has been in place since 2015, and ministers have also ruled out underground coal gasification over environmental fears.
Ministers have previously pledged to give MSPs a vote on fracking before they come to a final decision. It is expected that MSPs will be given a vote on the topic later in the year before the final decision is taken.
The government has published a series of expert reports on the controversial oil and gas extraction technique, and a public consultation was launched in January 2017. The government has commissioned a series of expert reports on the controversial oil and gas extraction technique, and a public consultation was launched in January 2017. The results of the consultation will be published alongside Mr Wheelhouse's speech.
Shale gas is currently processed in Scotland at a site in Grangemouth, having been shipped in from abroad, but cannot be extracted from beneath Scottish soil under the current moratorium.Shale gas is currently processed in Scotland at a site in Grangemouth, having been shipped in from abroad, but cannot be extracted from beneath Scottish soil under the current moratorium.
Some political parties and green groups argue that fracking causes environmental damage, but others point to potential economic benefits.Some political parties and green groups argue that fracking causes environmental damage, but others point to potential economic benefits.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "highly sceptical" about fracking, saying she has "big questions" about its potential impact on the environment, health and local communities.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "highly sceptical" about fracking, saying she has "big questions" about its potential impact on the environment, health and local communities.
In November 2016, Mr Wheelhouse said he anticipated that the view of parliament would play a part in the final decision, saying he anticipated a "lively debate followed by a vote", which the government would reflect on. In November 2016, Mr Wheelhouse pledged that the view of parliament would play a part in the final decision, saying he anticipated a "lively debate followed by a vote", which the government would reflect on.
Members had previously voted to support a ban on fracking, but SNP members abstained from that vote.Members had previously voted to support a ban on fracking, but SNP members abstained from that vote.
The timing of the statement will be decided by the parliamentary bureau.
What is fracking and why is it controversial?What is fracking and why is it controversial?
Find out more....Find out more....