Exercising its new freedoms, Scotland had rejected the UK government’s
plan to pass the Infrastructure Bill. The new bill allows fracking firms to
facilitate drilling for shale gas underneath unsuspecting UK properties.
The Scottish government, Labour and Green party had opposed
the bill, which would also apply to residential areas.
Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” has drillers take apart
rocks using a high-pressure mixture for oil. With the new UK fracking laws, UK
grounds would allow drilling firms to access difficult areas for oil and gas.
Opponents of fracking claim that the process could release
potentially carcinogenic chemicals into groundwater. It could also result to
increased pollution due to bad practice.
According to Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing, the move
is just about right.
"This decision is a victory for common sense and shows
how devolution of energy policy leads to different policy outcomes in Scotland.
"It is a vindication of the Scottish government's
continued objections to UK government plans to remove the right of Scottish householders
to object to unconventional oil and gas drilling under their home.
"We're glad the UK government has finally taken this on
board - especially as 99 per cent of respondents to their own consultation also
opposed the move."
