“It seems that Scottish (and Welsh) Governments have made the political calculation that it is best to let England lead the way in building the UK evidence base on fracking.”
That is the conclusion of analysis of differing policy approaches to shale gas licensing, exploration and development by a prominent energy lawyer from a London firm
Adam Brown added: “For the Coalition Government in Westminster, a safety-first approach to fracking may be achievable simply by means of some deft legislative drafting, the politics in Edinburgh and Cardiff are different.
“Both Scottish and Welsh Ministers have recently taken a less positive stance on fracking.
“The negative noises from Ministers in the devolved governments come in the context of debates about further devolution of energy-related powers and against the background of the awkward split between the oil and gas licensing regime (currently administered by the Secretary of State for all of Great Britain, but a potential candidate for further devolution, particularly in Scotland) and the planning regime (where Welsh and Scottish Ministers are, or can be, the ultimate decision-makers).
“Any unconventional development will need both a Petroleum Act licence and planning permission.”
The Scottish Shale Energy Conference 2015
Scottish Energy News is organising a special post-election conference on Scottish Shale Energy
September 2015
Reserve your premium place now – with a 10% discount for all bookings made by 7 May 2015
Email: Sales@ScottishEnergyNews.com
Keynote Speakers and Agenda will be announced shortly.
The Scottish Shale Energy Conference will be held in Scotland’s Central Belt
Shale gas will replace oil in the UK – with or without fracking – http://goo.gl/OgY3De
SHALE: A God-send – or the Devil’s work?
Shale gas is an “unconventional” fossil fuel that is found within natural fissures and fractures underground. Until recently, no method of safely transporting it to the surface existed. It is mined via hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, the process of breaking apart layers of shale by horizontally pumping liquids and a number of volatile and toxic chemical additives under high pressure thereby releasing trapped gas reserves.
To proponents, shale gas represents an untapped and welcome alternative energy source to traditional fossil fuels.
To detractors it is a hazardous and highly-polluting fossil fuel.
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