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Scottish government bans fracking in landmark decision Scottish government bans fracking in landmark decision
(about 2 hours later)
The Scottish Government has announced a ban on fracking. The Scottish Government has announced a ban on fracking in the face of “overwhelming” public opposition to the controversial gas extraction technique.
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse confirmed the government will outlaw the controversial gas extraction technique in Scotland. Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said an immediate ban would be enacted by using planning powers to extend the current moratorium “indefinitely”, removing the need for legislation.
A moratorium on the practice has been in place since January 2015 and the government's decision follows extensive consultation and consideration of reports on its potential impact. Mr Wheelhouse told MSPs: “Let me be clear that the action is sufficient to effectively ban the development of unconventional oil and gas extraction in Scotland.
Mr Wheelhouse said: “Fracking cannot, and will not take place in Scotland.” “The decision that I am announcing today means that fracking cannot, and will not take place in Scotland.”
He said it was the responsibility of the government to make decisions in the best interests of Scotland as a whole. The minister said a public consultation on the issue received more than 60,000 responses, an “overwhelming” 99% of which were opposed to fracking.
The minister added: “I can confirm the conclusion of the Scottish Government is that we will not support the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland.” Opponents raised concerns over the impact on health and the environment, while supporters focused on the economic benefits and said regulation could mitigate any adverse effects.
A public consultation on the issue received more than 60,000 responses, 99% of which were opposed to fracking. Hydraulic fracturing involves injecting water at high pressure into shale formations, fracturing the rock and allowing natural gas to flow out.
Friends of the Earth Scotland head of campaigns Mary Church said: “This is a victory for the environment and for local communities fighting fracking. The government will seek Holyrood's endorsement for the ban by extending the moratorium in place since January 2015 during a debate and vote following recess.
"The Scottish Government's decision today to ban fracking will be warmly welcomed across the country and around the world. Conservative MSP Dean Lockhart said the decision meant Scotland's economy was being “left behind” and that reports had shown fracking could bring up to £4.6 billion in additional GVA and thousands of jobs.
"This is a huge win for the anti-fracking movement, particularly for those on the frontline of this dirty industry here in Scotland, who have been working for a ban these last six years. He said: “This much-needed economic boost and these jobs will now be created outside of Scotland, thanks to the SNP.”
"Having put a moratorium in place more than two years ago, evaluated the evidence and consulted the people of Scotland, the Scottish Government has reached the right and sensible conclusion that the fracking industry must be banned to avoid potentially devastating impacts to people's health, the climate and our natural environment." Labour's environment spokeswoman Claudia Beamish and Green MSP Mark Ruskell both called on the government to commit to a full legal ban, with Ms Beamish saying the proposal did not go “far enough”.
Mr Wheelhouse said an immediate ban will be put in place and the Scottish Parliament's endorsement will be sought during a debate and vote following recess later this month. The Liberal Democrats welcomed the government's announcement but criticised the time taken to reach a decision.
Welcoming the ban, Dr Sam Gardner, acting director of WWF Scotland, said: “It's excellent news the Scottish Government has listened to the thousands of people, campaigners, and politicians across the country who have been calling for a permanent ban to fracking. Environmental charities hailed the ban while industry bodies said Scotland would miss out on an economic boost and thousands of jobs.
“The climate science is clear. The vast majority of fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground. It's fantastic Scottish Ministers agree that we need to start placing them off limits.” Friends of the Earth Scotland head of campaigns Mary Church said: “This is a huge win for the anti-fracking movement, particularly for those on the frontline of this dirty industry here in Scotland, who have been working for a ban these last six years.”
She said the ban would “avoid potentially devastating impacts to people's health, the climate and our natural environment”.
Dr Sam Gardner, acting director of WWF Scotland, added: “It's excellent news the Scottish Government has listened to the thousands of people, campaigners, and politicians across the country who have been calling for a permanent ban to fracking.
“The climate science is clear. The vast majority of fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground.”
Tom Pickering, operations director of Ineos Shale, which processes shale gas shipped from overseas to Grangemouth in Scotland, warned the country will miss out on economic and employment benefits, including an estimated 3,100 jobs.
Gary Smith, the GMB union's Scotland secretary, accused the Scottish Government of being “dishonest and hypercritical”, adding: “Scotland is importing a huge amount of shale gas from Trump's America.
“If the government wants to be consistent, it will now ban shale gas imports, threatening a huge number of job losses.”
PAPA