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Scottish fracking impact studies to be published Scottish fracking impact studies published
(about 5 hours later)
The Scottish government is to publish the results of a series of studies into the potential impact of fracking. The Scottish government has published 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 told MSPs that a "precautionary, evidence-based approach" would continue.
The government has said it will hold a public consultation before making any decision on whether to allow fracking. A public consultation will be launched in January before any decision is made on whether to allow fracking.
At the same time, the government will publish its climate change plan and a full strategic environmental assessment.
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 (UOG) 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. But Mr Wheelhouse said the government would not be "gung-ho" and had committed to consulting on the evidence collected.
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. He said: "The extensive package of research published today will ensure the public has access to a comprehensive evidence base on the potential health, economic and environment impacts of UOG ahead of the launch of the Scottish government's public consultation in the early New Year.
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". "These studies are an important contribution to the examination of the potential impacts of unconventional oil and gas technologies, including fracking and coal bed methane extraction, and underline the Scottish government's precautionary, robust and evidence-based approach to UOG."
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. The research published included a public health impact assessment, although Health Protection Scotland concluded that "the evidence considered was inadequate as a basis to determine whether development of shale oil and gas or coal bed methane would pose a risk to public health".
As well as the public health study, five commissioned research projects will be published. Their subjects are: As well as a health study, five commissioned research projects were published, on the topics of:
The reports found that there would be an increase in traffic for a number of years due to industrial activity were fracking permitted, but that the probability of "felt earthquakes" was "very small".
Mr Wheelhouse said the economic report found that £2.2bn could be spent in Scotland, supporting 1,400 jobs at the industry's peak.
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 the research had delivered a "damning verdict" 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." Head of campaigns Mary Church said: "The economic case for pursuing an unconventional gas industry in Scotland simply doesn't stand up, while the risks of doing so could be utterly devastating for communities and the environment. No state has had a moratorium on fracking, looked at the evidence and decided it's a good idea."
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: "Looking at the three tests posed by the government's own independent climate watchdog, it's very hard to see how Scotland could go ahead with fracking without breaching its carbon targets.
"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." "According to the independent research, the direct emissions from the production process of an unregulated fracking industry alone could potentially add more than 10 per cent to our current annual climate emissions. And that's before you consider the climate science, namely that the vast majority of known global fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground.
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 to fracking, 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....