An environmental charity has intervened in the legal challenge to the Scottish Government’s fracking ban. Petrochemical giant Ineos, alongside Aberdeen firm ReachCSG, is taking Scottish ministers to court over their decision to convert a moratorium on the controversial gas extraction technique into an indefinite ban. Friends of the Earth Scotland (FoE Scotland) has submitted a public interest intervention in the case, due to be heard in May at the Court of Session. Announcing plans to seek a judicial review in January, Ineos said there were “very serious errors” in the decision-making process. The firm, which owns two fracking licences in Scotland, is challenging the legality of the ban and seeking compensation. However, FoE Scotland will argue the ban is lawful, and arguably required in order to meet Scotland’s legally binding climate change commitments.
Scotsman 29th April 2018 read more »