Give Scotland fracking controls, says poll

Give Scotland fracking controls, says poll

Powers for awarding fracking licences should be devolved to Scotland, according to a new poll.
A Survation poll commissioned by the Scottish Greens, found 66.1 per cent said controls on shale oil and gas exploration should come to Scotland, with 18.2 per cent believing they should stay with the UK Government.
The findings came as chemicals and energy giant announced plans to invest up to £640m in exploration, with the raw materials used at its plants including Grangemouth.
The Greens have called on energy policy to be devolved in their submission to the Smith Commission, including powers over unconventionals as they want it to spur a faster advance to renewable energy targets, climate change targets and community control of local economic decisions.
Green MSP Alison Johnstone, a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, said: “"From coal gasification under the Firth of Forth to coalbed methane in Airth and Canonbie, there are communities around Scotland already battling dangerous developments. Our poll shows Scottish Greens are in tune with local communities who want decisions taken closer to home and it sets a clear challenge to the other parties at Holyrood who have failed to support a moratorium.
"Continuing to dig up and burn fossil fuels is simply reckless, both from a local point of view and in terms of climate change emissions. If Scotland were to gain responsibility for licensing and pipeline permissions I'd hope Holyrood would see sense and shut the door to fracking before it gets a foothold."
Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe said shale gas "could be the saviour for manufacturing in the UK", which had "collapsed" and was in further decline as industries struggled with high energy costs.