The Scottish Government has announced that it will not support the development of Unconventional Oil and Gas in Scotland, meaning there is an effective ban on fracking in Scotland.
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse told told MSPs in the Scottish Parliament yesterday afternoon that the decision followed an extensive period of evidence gathering, public engagement, and dialogue on the issue.
The Scottish Government’s evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas included a four-month public consultation which received over 60,000 responses.
Overall, approximately 99% of the consultation responses were opposed to fracking and fewer than 1% were in favour.
Those opposed to fracking emphasised the potential for significant, long-lasting negative impacts on communities, health, environment, and climate; expressed scepticism about the ability of regulation to mitigate negative impacts; and were unconvinced about the value of any economic benefit or the contribution of unconventional oil and gas to Scotland’s energy mix.
To put the announcement into immediate effect, the Scottish Government has now written to local authorities across Scotland to make clear that the Directions that gave effect to the moratorium will remain in place.
A parliamentary vote will take place in the near future followed by a Strategic Environmental Assessment.
Paul Wheelhouse said:
“The Scottish Government will not support the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland. Having taken account of the interests of the environment, our economy, public health and the overwhelming majority of public opinion, the decision I am announcing today means fracking cannot and will not take place in Scotland.
“We have undertaken one of the most far-reaching examinations of unconventional oil and gas ever carried out by any government, anywhere.
“We have not taken the process or the decision lightly. At every stage we have created opportunities for discourse and debate.”
Environmental NGO Greenpeace UK described the decision as “a huge win for thousands of people who have campaigned against fracking for six years.”
Elisabeth Whitebread, Energy campaigner at Greenpeace said:
"Unlike Westminster, Holyrood is listening to public opinion. We already have more gas than we can afford to burn, and as well as damaging the climate, fracking will cause local noise, air and light pollution.
“The Conservative Government in Westminster is now alone in backing fracking and looks very isolated indeed. Across England, growing numbers of local people will continue to oppose fracking and the failure of democracy on this issue. Conservatives in Westminster should stop chasing fracked gas, that we don’t need, and the overwhelming majority don't want.”
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