Urgent action plan needed for North Sea decommissioning
The Scottish Greens today (9 Aug) welcomed the intervention of a union leader for highlighting the lack of "leadership, investment and strategic direction" preventing Scotland from capitalising on North Sea decommissioning opportunities.
Prompted by confirmation that the Janice platform is to be decommissioned by Norway, GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith writes in today's Herald that "Scotland must prepare now for a post-oil future."
Mark Ruskell MSP, Energy spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said:
"Greens have long made the case that Scotland must seize the opportunity to create lasting jobs in decommissioning. The frustration expressed by union leaders is entirely understandable as work is lost to overseas firms. Scottish Ministers must bring forward an urgent action plan, and press the case with the Westminster government and the industry.
"To date the Scottish Government has been timid in its approach to decommissioning, preferring instead to cling to hope of forty more years of oil and gas extraction. Climate science tells us that is an irresponsible attitude and our focus should be on the transfer of skills from extraction to decommissioning and into renewables and other alternative viable industries."