Fraser Supports Fracking

MSP calls for Mid-Scotland and Fife to seize fracking opportunity.

The bidding process for firms extracting shale energy across the UK has begun. 

The UK Government will offer licences for exploration for the whole country, although successful firms will also need to secure separate planning and environmental permission.
 
The Scottish Conservatives have welcomed the move, which is hoped will lead to more drilling in parts of Scotland that experts have identified as having fracking potential.
 
MSPs say it could result in more jobs and a boost to the economy, as well as providing an alternative source of energy to North Sea oil and renewables.
 
A report released last month stated there could be as many as 11.2 billion barrels of shale beneath central Scotland, but more drilling would be needed to assess how easily it could be extracted.
 
Scottish Conservative energy spokesman Murdo Fraser MSP said:
 
"This move shows the UK Government is serious about exploring shale's potential, and it's time the Scottish Government matched that ambition.
 
"It's more important than ever that we find new energy sources, and we'd be foolish to ignore the possibilities of fracking.
 
"The discovery of shale would also provide a boost for the economy and potentially thousands of new jobs.
 
"The rest of the UK is moving ahead with this shale revolution, and Scotland can't afford to be left behind.
 
"Today the UK Government has also signalled its intention to put in place appropriate environmental protections, and that will be crucial if we are to ensure this can be done safely and successfully.
 
"Fracking has completely changed the US energy market, and there's no reason to think it can’t have a similarly positive impact here."