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| Scottish fracking impact studies to be published | Scottish fracking impact studies to be published |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The Scottish government is to publish the results of a series of studies into the potential impact of fracking. | The Scottish government is to publish the results of a series of studies into the potential impact of fracking. |
| The government is mulling over whether to allow the controversial oil and gas extraction technique in Scotland, with a moratorium currently in force. | The government is mulling over whether to allow the controversial oil and gas extraction technique in Scotland, with a moratorium currently in force. |
| Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse is to make a statement to MSPs at Holyrood laying out the results of the research. | Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse is to make a statement to MSPs at Holyrood laying out the results of the research. |
| The government has said it will hold a public consultation before making any decision on whether to allow fracking. | The government has said it will hold a public consultation before making any decision on whether to allow fracking. |
| Nicola Sturgeon's government commissioned a series of independent research projects when it imposed a moratorium on fracking in January 2015. | Nicola Sturgeon's government commissioned a series of independent research projects when it imposed a moratorium on fracking in January 2015. |
| Unconventional oil and gas extraction has proved a controversial topic, with some political parties and green groups arguing it causes environmental damage, while others point to economic benefits. | Unconventional oil and gas extraction has proved a controversial topic, with some political parties and green groups arguing it causes environmental damage, while others point to economic benefits. |
| Holyrood voted to support an outright ban on fracking in June, although SNP members abstained from that vote, and Labour has launched a members bill with the same aim. | Holyrood voted to support an outright ban on fracking in June, although SNP members abstained from that vote, and Labour has launched a members bill with the same aim. |
| The Scottish government has pledged to take a "cautious, evidence-led approach" to unconventional oil and gas. | The Scottish government has pledged to take a "cautious, evidence-led approach" to unconventional oil and gas. |
| The SNP's election manifesto committed to there being no fracking in Scotland "unless it can be proven beyond doubt that there is no risk to health, communities or the environment", while the first minister has declared herself "highly sceptical" about the technique. | The SNP's election manifesto committed to there being no fracking in Scotland "unless it can be proven beyond doubt that there is no risk to health, communities or the environment", while the first minister has declared herself "highly sceptical" about the technique. |
| MSPs will be updated by Mr Wheelhouse, who in October announced that the government "cannot support" underground coal gasification, a separate extraction technique, due to "serious environmental risks". | MSPs will be updated by Mr Wheelhouse, who in October announced that the government "cannot support" underground coal gasification, a separate extraction technique, due to "serious environmental risks". |
| He will announce the results of a public health impact assessment co-ordinated by Health Protection Scotland, which was tasked with reviewing scientific evidence to report on potential risks posed by fracking. | He will announce the results of a public health impact assessment co-ordinated by Health Protection Scotland, which was tasked with reviewing scientific evidence to report on potential risks posed by fracking. |
| As well as the public health study, five commissioned research projects will be published. Their subjects are: | As well as the public health study, five commissioned research projects will be published. Their subjects are: |
| Shale gas is currently shipped to Scotland from the US for use at the Ineos petrochemical plant in Grangemouth. | Shale gas is currently shipped to Scotland from the US for use at the Ineos petrochemical plant in Grangemouth. |
| The firm's chairman Jim Ratcliffe has claimed fracking could transform the UK's industrial heartlands. | The firm's chairman Jim Ratcliffe has claimed fracking could transform the UK's industrial heartlands. |
| Friends of the Earth Scotland said they expected the research to "echo the growing body of evidence that documents the negative impacts of fracking". | Friends of the Earth Scotland said they expected the research to "echo the growing body of evidence that documents the negative impacts of fracking". |
| Head of campaigns Mary Church said: "Nations must commit to leaving fossil fuels in the ground and we hope that the Scottish government will put climate change at the forefront of its decision-making on fracking." | Head of campaigns Mary Church said: "Nations must commit to leaving fossil fuels in the ground and we hope that the Scottish government will put climate change at the forefront of its decision-making on fracking." |
| WWF Scotland director Lang Banks added: "The climate science is clear, the vast majority of known fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground. | WWF Scotland director Lang Banks added: "The climate science is clear, the vast majority of known fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground. |
| "There is overwhelming public opinion in favour of cleaner forms of energy and a sufficient body of evidence on why unconventional oil and gas are neither good for people or the planet." | "There is overwhelming public opinion in favour of cleaner forms of energy and a sufficient body of evidence on why unconventional oil and gas are neither good for people or the planet." |
| Labour and the Scottish Greens have set themselves in opposition, and the Lib Dems support a ban despite their conference calling for current restrictions to be lifted. | Labour and the Scottish Greens have set themselves in opposition, and the Lib Dems support a ban despite their conference calling for current restrictions to be lifted. |
| The Scottish Conservatives have spoken in favour of fracking in the Holyrood chamber, while other groups, including trade unions, have supported the plans. | The Scottish Conservatives have spoken in favour of fracking in the Holyrood chamber, while other groups, including trade unions, have supported the plans. |
| GMB Scotland secretary Gary Smith said fracking was "an opportunity to secure an affordable and indigenous gas supply" which could help tackle fuel poverty, reduce bills and create jobs. | GMB Scotland secretary Gary Smith said fracking was "an opportunity to secure an affordable and indigenous gas supply" which could help tackle fuel poverty, reduce bills and create jobs. |
| He said: "Scotland needs a balanced energy supply to avoid the future prospect of power cuts, rising bills and frozen homes." | He said: "Scotland needs a balanced energy supply to avoid the future prospect of power cuts, rising bills and frozen homes." |
| What is fracking and why is it controversial? | What is fracking and why is it controversial? |
| Find out more.... | Find out more.... |