ENERGY: HARVIE URGES SCOT GOV TO OPPOSE UK DASH FOR GAS
Patrick Harvie, Scottish Green MSP for Glasgow and a member of Holyrood's economy and energy committee, today (18 Nov) urged the Scottish Government to oppose the dash for gas announced by UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd.
Ms Rudd has announced the UK Government's intention to replace coal-fired power stations with gas and new nuclear plants.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"Energy policy remains reserved to Westminster and we're already seeing Scotland's renewables potential being damaged by wrongheaded decisions by the anti-Green UK Government. A dash for gas will lock us in to further fossil fuel extraction when the scientific consensus is that we need to leave this stuff in the ground. The Tories' obsession with new nuclear ignores the crippling costs and toxic waste legacy.
"The challenge for the Scottish Government is to resist this direction of travel. Scottish ministers have rightly supported the development of renewables but they have also backed gas-fired stations, maximum extraction of oil and gas and have not opposed life extensions to existing nuclear plants. Using devolved powers to reduce energy demand, and give communities and public bodies a greater share of renewables, Scotland can show real leadership."