from Sunday Herald, 09 December 2012
The controversial process of “fracking” for underground gas could start in Scotland by stealth without communities being consulted, ministers are being warned.
Labour’s environment spokeswoman, Claire Baker MSP, says confusion over the planning rules could allow a “fracking free-for-all” with the technology being introduced “under the radar”.
Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, involves pumping fluids at high pressures into rock formations deep underground to release trapped gas. The UK government is expected to give the go-ahead to fracking in the next few days, despite evidence that it triggers small earthquakes.
In Scotland two fracking licences have been granted for areas near Canonbie in Dumfries and Galloway, but they have so far not been used. There are also advanced plans for the related extraction of coalbed methane in Falkirk and Striling, though fracking is not currently proposed.
Critics fear, however, that fracking could commence in the future without requiring fresh planning permission from local councils. “This raises serious questions about democratic accountability and transparency,” Baker told the Sunday Herald.
“Companies can move from exploratory work to extraction by fracking without even informing the local authority, never mind seeking any additional planning permissions.”
She sought information from five local authorities about coalbed methane and fracking proposals in their areas: Falkirk, Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Fife and Dumfries and Galloway. Their responses revealed a ”very concerning” level of confusion over how to deal with the issue, she said.
“Unless urgent action is taken, there is a real risk that fracking could come to communities across Scotland under the radar”, she argued. “The Scottish government is in danger of allowing the expansion of this industry without robust scrutiny.”
Baker is planning to raise the issue in the Scottish Parliament and to write to the energy minister, Fergus Ewing. “As a matter of urgency, the Scottish government must bring forward national guidelines to clarify the situation before we see a fracking free for all,” she said.
Mary Church, a campaigner with Friends of the Earth Scotland, said it was “completely unacceptable" that communities across Scotland were faced with the prospect of fracking by stealth.
“The current regulatory framework is clearly not fit to deal with this and other new forms of unconventional gas. As it stands, coalbed methane developers can get through the planning system with no discussion or scrutiny of fracking plans.”
She accepted that fracking permits might be required from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), but pointed out that this need not involve consultations with the local community.
The Scottish government argued that energy companies would need licences, registration and permission from the UK government, Sepa, the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities. They would also have to adhere to strict construction, control and monitoring processes.
Dart Energy, the Australian company that is developing coal bed methane in Scotland, was “supportive” of guidance to ensure that local councils are consulted on fracking proposals. But it stressed that fracking was not an option at its sites in Falkirk.
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