Scottish Green MSPs will use this afternoon’s (1 June) Holyrood debate on Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform to push the Scottish Government to be bolder on community energy, fracking and democratic ownership of land. Continue reading Be bolder, urge Greens
Tag: fracking
Groundswell Rising: book your place
Groundswell Rising is an inspiring documentary which shows how many communities have suffered and try to fight back against the fracking and unconventional oil and gas industry in America.
The film is being screened, and followed by discussion, in North Edinburgh Arts this coming Friday from 7pm-9.30.
The event is free and will include input from Dr Richard Dixon, Friends of the Earth Scotland, and Prof Andrew Waterson, Professor of Public Health from Stirling University.
To book a place use the Event Brite link below and click to register a place at the North Edinburgh Arts Event.
If you are unable to come ( or even if you can!) please distribute through your networks.
For more info, or if you’ve any questions, please call 07886 887 923.
Best wishes
Callum
Our Forth
Groundswell Rising: the fracking truth?
FRIDAY 4th MARCH 7 – 10pm NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS
US FILM SHOWS RISKS OF FRACKING
Communities invited to screening of American documentary
Community campaigners are inviting local people to view a documentary highlighting first-hand accounts of the effects of fracking in the United States.
Hands Over Our Scotland has helped organise a local screening of the film ‘Groundswell Rising’, featuring the testimonies of people in towns across America who have to live side-by-side with the fracking industry.
The film will be shown on Friday 4 March from 7 to 9:30pm at North Edinburgh Arts.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland will introduce the film. He will be joined by Prof Andrew Watterson, Director of the Centre for Public Health and Population Health Research, and Head of the Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Stirling for discussion after the screening.
Dr Richard Dixon said: “Scotland has to learn from the communities that have already had to live with fracking. Seeing the reality of having this dirty industry as a neighbour should persuade anyone that it’s not something we want here. For the sake of the climate and local people, fracking and unconventional fossil fuels are the last thing Scotland needs.”
Maria Montinaro, of Hands Over Our Scotland, who is accompanying the producer on a tour of UK, said: “This film shows the reality of what it means to live beside fracking operations, including the daily struggle of ordinary people to protect their children’s air and water.
“Their testimonies show what is potentially in store for communities around the Forth if our government allows big fossil fuel companies to go ahead with their plans. The first duty of any government is to protect its citizens. We call upon our Scottish Government to put the health and wellbeing of Scottish communities first – banning this industry .”
Groundswell Rising has been praised by critics. LA Weekly said it ‘balances grim facts and expert analysis with scenes of ordinary people pushing back’, while Hollywood Reporter said it ‘delivers its arguments with a canny mixture of facts and emotion’.
Executive producer Mark Lichty will speak at the first screening at the University of Edinburgh. Mark is an attorney and former CEO of Bustin Industrial Products. Having been in manufacturing for many years, he is deeply concerned about the safety issues not being addressed by the oil and gas industry.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting people of Edinburgh. The film shows how an industry rich with political connections managed to slip into a position of almost untouchable power and how at-risk communities have come together to fight back.
“Groundswell Rising is a documentary told by those who are living it, with honesty, passion and a sincere desire to protect our children and the world we leave them. I hope that Groundswell Rising will inspire people and politicians in Scotland to ban risky gas extraction once and for all.”
The Groundswell Rising screening at North Edinburgh Arts is part of a tour across central Scotland being organised by campaign group Hands Over Our Scotland.
Full screening details are available at www.groundswellscotland.com.
NO fracking thanks!
Hundreds take part in anti-fracking event
An estimated two thousand people took part in the Hands Over Our Forth event on the Forth Road Bridge yesterday.
Anti-fracking groups, community organisations and concerned individuals from across Scotland and beyond joined together to answer a call to demand an all-out ban on Underground Coal Gasification (UCG). They argue that UCG is a dangerous experimental technology with a track record of failure and plans for projects in Scotland must be stopped.
The protesters are urging the Scottish government to include UCG in the temporary ‘fracking’ ban prior to demanding an all-out ban in Scotland.
In what was a good-natured event, around two thousand protesters joined hands to form a human chain across the Forth Road Bridge. They came from far and wide – North Edinburgh was well-represented (above) – and there was international support from absent friends on the other side of the world too. Kindred spirits joined hands across Tasmania’s Forth Bridge and used social media to add their voice to the protest (below)!
Pictures by Eileen Penman, Elaine Graham, Lynn McCabe and Bob Brown down under!
Fracking: Another day, another moratorium
‘We’re watching you frackers’: Campaigners vow to keep up the pressure
The Scottish Government has put in place a moratorium on underground coal gasification (UCG) in Scotland. Campaigners have welcomed the announcement but are urging members of the public to make their voices heard in a new consultation.
Organisers also confirmed that an an anti-tracking publicity event, which is expected to attract hundreds of protesters, will go ahead on Sunday.
Yesterday’s announcement is separate to the existing moratorium on onshore unconventional oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing – and comes as ministers have also informed Parliament that the Government will carry out a thorough and wide-ranging research process into the potential impacts of such onshore techniques.
The moratorium on onshore unconventional oil and gas was announced by the Energy Minster Fergus Ewing in January, when he set out plans for a full public consultation and outlined a programme of research work including:
- a full public health impact assessment
- further work to strengthen planning guidance
- further tightening of environmental regulation.
Since then the Government has undertaken a series of meetings with the key stakeholder groups including environmental NGOs, industry, local government and community organisations. Those meetings have helped inform the government’s decision to extend the planned work which will also now also include:
- transport impacts research,
- seismic monitoring research,
- consideration of decommissioning and aftercare,
- climate change impacts research,
- and economic impacts research.
This work comes further to an independent Scientific Panel report on unconventional oil and gas which has already been undertaken.
Ministers published the planned research and public consultation timetable yesterday and confirmed that the public consultation will begin once the research process has been finalised and the results published. This will give the public a chance to study the research reports before taking part in the public consultation. The detailed evidence-gathering phase will take place between now and next summer, with the consultation phase, covering engagement, public consultation and analysis, due to conclude in spring 2017.
In line with the cautious, evidence-based approach adopted by the Scottish Government, a separate moratorium on Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) will allow the necessary time for full and careful consideration of the potential impacts of this new technology.
Ministers have been clear that these are two separate technologies, subject to different licensing regimes, and hence will be considered separately.
The Scottish Government has appointed Professor Campbell Gemmell, former CEO of SEPA, to lead an independent examination of the issues and evidence surrounding UCG. This will include working closely with communities and stakeholders to understand the issues of most concern to them.
Mr Ewing said: “The studies announced today constitute an extremely thorough and wide-ranging examination of the potential impacts of unconventional oil and gas and underlines the Scottish Government policy of taking a precautionary, robust and evidence-based approach to this technology in stark contrast to the gung-ho approach of the UK Government.
“Ministers have held meetings with representatives of environmental non-governmental organisations, community groups, industry bodies and local government. Those meetings have helped us to prepare for the research and public consultation processes. As a result, we have planned a robust and thorough research process and a wide-ranging and participative consultation process.
“The public will understandably wish to study the outcome of the research process and thus the public consultation will not begin until the findings of the research process have been published.
“Scotland’s moratorium into onshore unconventional oil and gas extraction was welcomed by both environmental campaigners and industry representatives. It will remain in place as the research and public consultation is undertaken.
“We should never close our minds to the potential opportunities for Scotland from new energy technologies – but we must also ensure that community, environmental and health concerns are all fully taken account of. The research we propose in this timetable will give all interested stakeholders important information to allow a more informed debate during the public consultation.
“In line with our evidence-led approach we are today also putting in place a moratorium on the onshore planning of underground coal gasification developments to allow time for full and careful consideration of the potential impacts of this technology for Scotland.”
In line with the Government’s evidence-led approach, boreholes relating to unconventional oil & gas will only be permitted when research and geoscience is the key driver and where they are delivered in collaboration with an independent research body, such as the British Geological Survey, or academic institution, and for the purposes of furthering the evidence base on unconventional oil and gas.
Any proposed boreholes would also have to gain planning permission, environmental and health and safety consents before they are allowed.
Environmental groups have welcomed the announcement but warn that they will keep up the pressure to ensure Scotland remains free from fracking.
Mary Church, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Well done to Fergus Ewing for announcing this important new moratorium. Underground coal gasification is a risky and experimental technique, with a very chequered history around the world. This industry clearly deserves the same public scrutiny as shale gas fracking and coal bed methane.”
She added: “We warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s detailed timetable for action, and the extended research remit announced today. This framework for reviewing shale gas fracking and coalbed methane looks like a well designed process, over a sensible timescale. The experience from the growing number of states and regions around the world with bans and moratoriums is clear that undertaking a thorough review of unconventional gas cannot be rushed.
“We strongly urge individuals and communities to fully engage with this process and make their opposition to this dirty industry clear. All too often the millions spent on PR by big corporations can crowd out the voices of affected communities and those speaking up for the environment and public health when it comes to important policy or decisions like this. INEOS and others have big budgets at their disposal to get their points across. It is vital that people the length and breadth of Scotland who don’t want to see the central belt wrecked by the fossil fuel industry make their voice count in this review.
“There is a growing body of evidence from around the world that fracking for shale gas, extracting coal-bed methane and the underground coal gasification process poses unacceptable risks for human health and the environment. In December 2014 New York State joined a number of countries and regions in deciding to banning fracking after undertaking a two-year assessment on the impacts of fracking on human health and the environment.
“We are particularly glad that climate change impacts are to be the subject of detailed study. In the context of our international obligations to cut emissions it would be completely irresponsible for a hydrocarbon-rich nation like Scotland to open up a new frontier of fossil fuels, further exacerbating the climate crisis.
“We are confident that when the evidence is independently assessed and the Scottish public have had a chance to voice their concerns, this consultation will lead to a full ban on unconventional gas and fracking.”
The Our Forth campaign group has also welcomed the announcement – but their protest event on the Forth Bridge this Sunday will go ahead as planned.
A spokesperson said: “Our Forth warmly welcome the Scottish’s Government’s announcement today of a Moratorium on Underground Coal Gasification.
“We urge people all over Scotland to take heart from this development and add their voices to the call for a complete ban on all unconventional gas in Scotland by joining hands with other Scottish communities on Sunday 11 October at 2pm on the Forth Road Bridge.
“We are pleased to see that the Scottish Government is listening to community concerns and we will continue our campaign to encourage the public to research the mounting evidence from across the world that shows fracking for shale gas, extracting coal-bed methane and the underground coal gasification process poses unacceptable risks for human health and the environment.
“These moratoria present communities with an opportunity to inform each other and drown out the PR machines of these damaging industries. It is vital that people the length and breadth of Scotland who don’t want to see the central belt wrecked by the fossil fuel industry make their voice count in the public consultation that’s also been announced today.”
TIMETABLE FOR RESEARCH PROCESS AND CONSULTATION ON ONSHORE UNCONVENTIONAL OIL AND GAS
| Summary of work and timetable | |
| Task | Date |
| Evidence-gathering | |
| Public Health Impact Assessment (Health Protection Scotland) | Autumn 2015 – Summer 2016 |
| – Stakeholder workshops | Autumn/Winter 2015 |
| – Peer review | Spring/Summer 2016 |
| – Publish Final Report | Summer 2016 |
| Research project 1 – Transport impacts | Autumn 2015 – Summer 2016 |
| – Open and competitive tender | Autumn/Winter 2015 |
| – Appoint contractor | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Stakeholder workshops | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Publish Final Report | Summer 2016 |
| Research project 2 – Decommissioning and aftercare | Autumn 2015 – Summer 2016 |
| – Open and competitive tender | Autumn/Winter 2015 |
| – Appoint contractor | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Stakeholder workshops | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Publish Final Report | Summer 2016 |
| Research project 3 – Seismic activity and monitoring | Autumn 2015 – Summer 2016 |
| – Open and competitive tender | Autumn/Winter 2015 |
| – Appoint contractor | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Stakeholder workshops | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Publish Final Report | Summer 2016 |
| Research project 4 – Economic Impacts | Winter 2015/16 – Summer 2016 |
| Research Project 5 – Climate Change Impacts | Winter 2015/16 – Summer 2016 |
| Regulation and Planning | |
| Workshops and Engagement | Winter 2015/16 – Summer 2016 |
| Report on Findings | Autumn 2016 |
| Consultation | |
| Pre-consultation engagement (including stakeholder forums, and public engagement) | Winter 2015/16 – Autumn 2016 |
| 4 month Public Consultation | Winter 2016/17 |
| Consultation Analysis | Spring 2017 |
Power to the People talk fracking …
The Power to the Power group is hosting a community meeting on the issue of fracking and underground coal gasification in the Forth next Tuesday (6 October) from 10am – 12.30 in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.
A crèche will be available to allow people with young children to participate.
We are keen to raise awareness about this issue locally and will be supporting the action planned on the Forth Road Bridge on Sunday 11 October at 2pm. Please see the link below for further information :
http://www.ourforth.org/hands-across-the-forth/
Power to the People
Letters: Lessons from the fracking USA
Dear Editor
Fracking – Danger Ahead
Fracking in America has made vast profits for investment companies: it has also caused contamination of the water table, with toxic chemicals making the water impossible to drink or use.
In some areas water is having to be transported and stored in containers by the householders. Imagine that happening in areas already earmarked for widespread fracking in our central belt of West, Mid and East Lothian.
The immediate danger arises – as it did with wind turbines – of private landowners making deals with fracking companies: this must be prohibited now.
The Scottish government must, without any ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’, state clearly that fracking will not be allowed in any shape or form. The potential disaster for the people of polluting our water supply in the pusuit of private profit must be stopped.
A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens
Letter: No fracking need!
Dear Editor
It would seem the oil extraction companies, finding their vast profits falling, are withdrawing investment. The question now arises: where will they invest their money, and in what?
In America there has been heavy investment in ‘fracking’ to extract gas. This has led to widespread contamination of the water table, with toxic chemicals making it impossible to drink or even use. The recent television programme on the dangers of ‘fracking’ should be shown over and over again to alert people before extraction companies start investing.
There have been some indications that authorities may oppose fracking; presure must be put on them to do so.
As with wind generators, a danger arises in that private land owners will make deals with fracking companies: this must be prohibited.
Fracking is neither needed nor wanted; it poses a potential disaster by polluting our water – all done in the name of making profits for some.
Fracking as a news topic is disturbing by it’s absence: this can only mean ‘Danger Ahead’.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
Fracking on hold in Scotland – for now
Moratorium called: Scottish Government consultation to seek public’s views on fracking
Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has announced that there is to be a moratorium on granting consents for ‘fracking’ whilst further research and a public consultation is carried out – but Green MSPs say the ‘door has been left ajar’.
The decision comes days after the UK Government voted against a moratorium.
Last Friday, following the publication of the Smith Command Paper, Mr Ewing wrote to UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey requesting that the UK Government do not issue further licences in Scotland as the powers over licencing are due to be devolved.
In his statement to Parliament this afternoon Mr Ewing set out that the Scottish Government will undertake additional work to increase the evidence base for decision-making on this issue.
In particular Mr Ewing set out that the Scottish Government will:
• Undertake a full public consultation on unconventional oil and gas extraction
• Commission a full public health impact assessment
• Conduct further work into strengthen planning guidance
• Look at further tightening of environmental regulation.
Mr Ewing said: “I am announcing a moratorium on the granting of planning consents for all unconventional oil and gas developments, including fracking. This moratorium will continue until such time as the work I have set out to Parliament today, including a full public consultation, is completed.
“The Scottish Government has taken a cautious, considered and evidence-based approach to unconventional oil and gas and fracking.
“I have listened carefully to concerns raised by local communities and environmental campaigners. We have put in place robust environmental regulation, tougher planning rules and successfully opposed the UK Government’s plans to end Scottish householders’ rights to object to drilling under their homes.
“We recognise that local communities are likely to bear the brunt of any unconventional oil and gas developments, particularly in terms of increased traffic and related emissions and noise impacts. These are issues that must be researched further.
“We have listened to legitimate concerns about potential negative impacts. However, we must also acknowledge that some take a different view and see opportunities in unconventional oil and gas extraction.
“We should never close our minds to the potential opportunities of new technologies – but we must also ensure that community, environmental and health concerns are never simply brushed aside. This government will not allow that to happen and I hope the actions I have announced today will be widely welcomed as proportionate and responsible.”
Scottish Green MSPs have welcomed the Energy Minister’s announcement at Holyrood today – but warn that that the Scottish Government’s position still falls short of a full ban.
Scottish Green MSPs Patrick Harvie and Alison Johnstone have campaigned against unconventional gas extraction since the 2011 election. As well as proposing a ban, which all other parties voted against, they have urged ministers to provide funding for local authorities to develop robust policies to handle any fracking applications.
A Scottish Green petition calling on the UK Government to halt the imminent awarding of licenses to frack for gas across Scotland has achieved over 5,700 signatures since being launched last week.
Alison Johnstone MSP said: “A year ago the First Minister said shale gas was an undoubted opportunity; today the Energy Minister announced a pause but asks us not to rule it out. It is clear that the sustained pressure we’ve been putting on the Scottish Government has paid off, but we do not intend to rest here.
“The SNP and Labour voted against a ban last year when I led the Scottish Parliament’s first debate on fracking. While a delay to allow for further research is a welcome step, it remains a worry that neither SNP ministers nor Labour are talking about ruling it out.
“Leaving the door ajar to a new wave of fossil fuels is incompatible with our climate change ambitions and risks diverting attention and investment from the undoubted opportunity we have to pursue clean technology and energy efficiency.”
Fracking calls from Greens ahead of budget debate
Scottish Green MSPs are calling on ministers to amend the proposed 2015-16 Scottish budget to create a new fund for local authorities facing a wave of controversial fracking developments.
MSPs vote tomorrow (21 January) on the principles of the draft budget and Green MSPs Patrick Harvie and Alison Johnstone have outlined their priorities.
The UK Government is considering awarding licenses to gas drilling firms for a huge swathe of Scotland, from Argyll and Ayrshire in the west to Aberdeenshire and East Lothian in the east. Planning authorities will face complex assessments yet many have no clear policy on the issue and could be open to challenge by developers.
Last week West Lothian Council agreed to write to the Scottish Government calling for a moratorium on unconventional gas, following a similar move by North Lanarkshire prompted by independent councillor Frances McGlinchey, who recently joined the Scottish Greens. Both are Labour-controlled councils.
Last year following a Green debate at Holyrood Labour MSPs voted against a ban on fracking, as did SNP, Conservative and Libdem members.
Scottish Green campaigners are urging communities concerned about fracking to lobby their MSPs to sign Alison Johnstone’s parliamentary motion, which calls for a ban.
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, said: “Local authorities are on the frontline of this potential new wave of destructive development. If the Scottish Government is serious about its position on fracking – that is to put faith in the planning framework – it needs to step up and support our completely unprepared planning authorities.
“Ministers have in the past provided local authorities with funding to deal with high levels of windfarm determinations. Why not support councils facing fracking applications?
“The Scottish Government has options including underspends and consequential funds, so let’s see if they take this opportunity to help shut the door to fracking. The sooner we shut down this dangerous distraction the better, and we can instead focus on investment in renewables, retrofit jobs and apprenticeships.”
Other budget priorities outlined by the Green MSPs ahead of Wednesday’s debate include:
-Making the repair and retrofit of poorly insulated and glazed homes a national infrastructure investment priority, creating thousands of jobs.
-Expansion of the Modern Apprenticeship scheme to include energy efficiency.
-Using the underspent Renewable Energy Investment Fund to support the huge potential in the wave industry.
-Improve air quality by investing in walking and cycling infrastructure and doubling the Scottish Green Bus Fund which provides low emissions vehicles.
-Exploring the creation of a Fans First Fund to provide loans to supporter groups seeking to purchase their local football club.