MSPs have voted to endorse the Scottish government’s “effective ban” on fracking north of the border. Ministers announced earlier in the month that the controversial method of oil and gas extraction “cannot and will not take place in Scotland”. The Tories opposed the move, while Labour and the Scottish Greens said more could be done to strengthen it. After energy minister Paul Wheelhouse insisted the ban was “sufficiently robust”, MSPs backed him by 91 to 28. The government accepted Labour and Green amendments which asked to incorporate the prohibition into future National Planning Frameworks, in order to strengthen it.
BBC 24th Oct 2017 read more »
Times 25th Oct 2017 read more »
Scotsman 24th Oct 2017 read more »
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The National 25th Oct 2017 read more »
Herald 25th Oct 2017 read more »
Pollutants released during fracking processes could pose a health risk to infants and children, according to researchers studying chemicals involved in shale gas operations. The extraction of shale gas using pressurised fluid – a process known as fracking – has been used commercially since the 1950s and in recent years has fuelled an energy boom in the US. Many countries around the world are looking to follow suit – including Australia and the UK, where the first drilling in six years is expected to begin this week in the North Yorkshire village of Kirby Misperton, despite staunch opposition from protesters. However, other countries have banned the practice, including France, Ireland, and Germany, citing environmental concerns, with the Scottish parliament today backing the Scottish government’s ban.
Guardian 25th Oct 2017 read more »
