Martin Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire, has welcomed action taken by the SNP Scottish Government to ban fracking in Scotland.
The SNP’s announcement not to support the development of fracking in Scotland follows an extensive period of evidence gathering and public engagement on the impact of unconventional oil and gas extraction.
Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Business, Innovation & Energy, has written to local authorities confirming that Scotland’s moratorium on fracking will remain in place indefinitely.
A public consultation on unconventional oil and gas received over 60,000 responses, with 99 per cent of respondents opposed to fracking.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“The action taken by the SNP Scottish Government to ban fracking indefinitely is welcome news for West Dunbartonshire and people across Scotland.
“My long-held view is that the risks and disruption posed by the extraction of unconventional oil and gas from our communities are unacceptable. As the MP for West Dunbartonshire I regularly hear concerns from constituents about the impact fracking could have on public health and the environment.
“The response to the government’s consultation makes it clear that the majority of people across Scotland are opposed to fracking and I commend the Scottish Government for listening and taking decisive action.
“The ban is a victory for campaigners and a bold step forward in protecting Scotland’s homes, communities and environment from the risks posed by fracking.”
Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation & Energy 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.
“The views expressed through our consultation demonstrated that communities across Scotland, particularly in densely populated areas where developments could potentially take place, are not convinced there is a strong national economic argument when balanced against the risk and disruption they anticipate in areas, such as transport, pollution, crucially, their health and wellbeing.”
