Fife councillors say they refuse to take no for an answer after the Scottish Government knocked back its request for an immediate independent inquiry into the impact of flaring at Mossmorran.
Six days of unplanned flaring at the petrochemical works in April provoked more than 900 complaints from angry locals about the impact on their health and wellbeing, and other incidents in the weeks since have sparked further concerns – including another brief period of flaring on Saturday morning.
A formal motion was passed by Fife Council in May requesting the Scottish Government to commission an independent expert study of the environmental, social and health impacts on the surrounding communities of the operations of the Fife Ethylene Plant and Shell’s NGL Plant at Mossmorran.
However, councillors have since learned cabinet secretary Roseanna Cunningham has stopped short of that commitment – sparking fury among many elected members.
In her response to the council, the environment, climate change and land reform minister insisted the Scottish Government takes the matter “extremely seriously” and was “clear that the levels of unplanned flaring at the site are unacceptable”.
Despite that though, the minister feels the commissioning of the requested study is “premature”, as it could prejudice any enforcement action the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) might take while investigations continue, although she did concede the possibility of an independent study “remains an option”.
That response has not gone down well, and an emergency motion has now been unanimously passed by councillors forcing co-leaders David Ross and David Alexander to write back to Ms Cunningham and reiterate the local authority’s demand for the probe it requested.
Labour councillor Linda Erskine, whose Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty ward is near Mossmorran, brought forward the motion.
“There will never be a point in time that there will not be an investigation by SEPA into the plant because their safety record has got worse,” she said.
“I do not believe that what we have been presented with is acceptable in terms of the feeling of this council chamber and in terms of the communities impacted.
“I know those constituents we represent will not be satisfied and the promise of an independent study remaining an option at some indeterminate time in the future is not a real commitment.
“It simply isn’t good enough.
“It was through sheer frustration and concern for the health and wellbeing of communities that we ended up with our motion on May 2.”
Seconding, Labour’s Gary Guichan said people had “lost confidence” in the inspection regimes and said the time for a Government-led investigation is “now”.
Cowdenbeath colleague Councillor Alex Campbell added: “I think the minister has underestimated the anxiety and the health concerns of the communities and as a local councillor I was certainly expecting a far better response.”
Mr Ross said he too was “disappointed” with the outcome, although Mr Alexander highlighted the efforts of various agencies including SEPA and NHS Fife thus far.
“I think things are working within Fife at the moment and, based on what we get out of that, the Scottish Government will then decide if they need to go further,” he suggested.
“All of the regulatory functions are happening in Fife and the tone of the letter tells me that if they (the Scottish Governement) need to come in, they will come in.”
Mr Alexander also called for all parties to tone down some of the language used on the issue recently, just days after local campaigners warned Fife could suffer “another Bhopal”.
“I don’t like open top scaremongering, I don’t like people warning of disaster, saying ‘we’re looking at a Bhopal, the kids visiting the plant are lucky’,” he said.
“Until we get decent information, we should keep the language pretty reasonable.”
Plant operator open to compensation talks
ExxonMobil has indicated its willingness to have “further discussions” regarding possible compensation to local communities or individuals impacted by flaring.
Fife Council co-leader David Ross has confirmed talks will continue between all parties on the issue of possible payouts, although he stressed the operators have not yet made a firm commitment on that front as yet.
However, he has been buoyed by ExxonMobil’s reaction to the issue and its openness to talk.
Liberal Democrat councillor Donald Lothian questioned what sums were being talked about, but Mr Ross described any speculation in that regard as “premature and inappropriate”.
Meanwhile, calls for more dialogue on the long-term future of the plant have also been stepped up in light of recent events.
Conservative councillor Tony Miklinski challenged the council’s SNP/Labour administration to confirm its position in relation to closing the plant – citing comments attributed to Mr Ross in the press which suggested recent unplanned flaring had been a “tipping point”.
“We all agree the current level of flaring is unacceptable,” Mr Miklinski said.
“But we’re also aware that this plant brings in £40 million a year investment, 250 core jobs, 120 local firms providing goods and services, so it’s a very significant contribution.”
Mr Ross, however, said his position was made “very clear” in that talks should be about the long-term future of the plant and a possible decommissioning strategy.
“Nobody suggested it should be closed tomorrow, and that was part of the discussions we’ve had with Exxon,” he stressed.
