Scotland’s environment minister has ruled out an extension to the moratorium on unconventional gas extraction, despite pressure from campaigners.
Fergus Ewing said he could not include the controversial process known as underground coal gasification in the temporary ban because many of the relevant powers remain with Westminster.
This means UCG could potentially go ahead beneath the Firth of Forth without any public consultation.
The UK Government has confirmed it will only devolve licensing powers for onshore oil and gas developments, including fracking, to the Scottish Parliament.
Westminster voted against a moratorium on UCG earlier this year.
Opposition politicians have reacted with fury to the news, insisting Mr Ewing did have the power to stop UCG.
In a letter to Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance, Mr Ewing said the commercial viability of UCG was still unknown and added: “The Scottish Government is clear that the development of new energy technologies, such as underground coal gasification, must be consistent with our environmental objectives and we will continue to take a careful, evidence-based approach to such developments.”
The minister said the Scottish Government would work with Sepa and other regulators to ensure controls are in place to protect the environment.
However, Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Claire Baker claimed UCG could easily be included in the moratorium because planning permission and environmental licences are needed.
“These are devolved and therefore the buck stops with the energy minister,” she told The Courier.
“He has the power to include UCG in any moratorium but it is becoming increasingly clear he doesn’t have the desire.”
Fife councillor Tom Adams said: “If it’s to be an evidence-based approach, where are they going to get their evidence if it’s never been done before?”
Mr Ewing’s “cautious approach” was, however, welcomed by SNP MSP David Torrance, who said: “It is important that we push for these powers to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament so that we can control any offshore development which might be within the Fife area, or on the Scottish coastline, thus ensuring the protection of the environment and the surrounding area from any damage that might be caused by UCG.”
Photo by George McLuskie