Fears that Fife could be facing environmental catastrophe have intensified amid revelations further plans are being developed for unconventional gas extraction (UCG) from the Firth of Forth.
There are calls for the Scottish Government to extend its moratorium on UCG as the Coal Authority confirmed it is processing a conditional licence application to extract coal from the seabed near the former Frances Colliery in Dysart.
The same body also moved to assuage worries about rising mine water bringing pollutants to the surface. It is planning to install a test pump at the defunct Michael Pit in East Wemyss to halt the rising water and prevent it breaking the surface.
If granted, a coal extraction licence at Dysart would pave the way for UCG. The process involves drilling a borehole into a coal seam, flushing it with oxygen and heating it to produce syngas.
UCG licences have already been granted for the Forth at Kincardine and Largo Bay, prompting fears from campaigners it could result in an explosion or environmental disaster.
While those behind the plans insist the process is safe and would produce enough gas to fuel Britain cheaply and efficiently for hundreds of years, it has never been attempted offshore. Despite this, UCG was not included in the moratorium announced last month by Environment Minister Fergus Ewing.
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