Harvie presses First Minister to commit to decision on fracking this year
Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, today (15 June) used First Minister's Questions to press Nicola Sturgeon to commit to a decision on whether or not to ban fracking by the end of this year.
Mr Harvie highlighted that the government's fracking consultation, which closed two weeks ago, has received tens of thousands of responses, one of the biggest ever responses to a government consultation.
Since then, further concerns have been raised about the health impacts, with over 150 studies linking the chemicals used in the fracking industry to cancer risk and permanent lung damage, for example by exposing workers to benzene and silica dust.
Green MSPs have led calls for a ban on fracking and other forms of unconventional gas extraction, putting the matter to a vote at Holyrood in 2014. All other parties opposed the move.
Patrick said:
"We simply can’t go on with a temporary moratorium, leaving threatened communities in limbo. The scale of the public response on this issue is unprecedented, and it’s clear that only a full permanent ban will do. Greens have led the way in calling for a ban, and we will accept nothing less.
"The commitment from the First Minister that a decision will be made and a vote brought in Parliament before the end of this year is good to hear, and Greens will hold the First Minister to that commitment. By banning fracking and instead focusing on long term jobs in low-carbon industries, Scotland can send a strong message that our future is green."
Fracking in Scotland could make workers sick, say campaigners (The Ferret):
https://theferret.scot/fracking-workers-sick-campaingers/