Scottish Government Confirm Moratorium On Underground Coal Gasification

The Scottish government has extended its fracking moratorium to include underground coal gasification (UCG).

Plans had been outlined to use the technique to extract gas from under the Firth of Forth near Kincardine.

The announcement is seperate to the existing ban on onshore unconventional oil and gas extraction which was announced in January 2015 by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.

A timetable for a research and consultation process into the impacts of these techniques has also been published, concluding in Spring 2017.

Commenting, SNP MSP Angus MacDonald said:

“This welcome announcement is an extension of the Scottish Government’s cautious, considered, evidence-based approach to unconventional oil and gas and contrasts sharply with the Tory UK government’s gung-ho approach to the issue.

“The existing moratorium on onshore fracking has been welcomed by environmental campaigners and industry representatives alike. It is right that we also have a moratorium on Underground Coal Gasification until we have fully considered the impacts of this technology and the views of the communities which will be most affected. 

“This new moratorium on UCG, however, will only cover planning proposals, as exclusive rights to exploit coal resources for UCG will continue to rest with the UK Government. There is a strong case for the full devolution of licensing coal, including underground coal gasification, in line with the forthcoming devolution of licensing of onshore oil and gas."