Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has called on the First Minister to publicly back shale gas during an address to the annual Bloomberg Energy Investment Summit in New York tomorrow.
The US Government has revealed its desire for Europe to develop a viable shale gas industry in order to lessen the political influence of Russian Gas.
Shale gas has transformed US industry and reduced energy bills for hard-pressed consumers. With nearly 40% of Scottish residents in fuel poverty Murdo Fraser believes shale gas has the potential to alleviate energy issues in Scotland.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“The Scottish Government is criticising Westminster for failing in its duty to guarantee security of energy supply for consumers.
“However on our doorstep we have a source of energy that has the potential to increase our energy independence, create jobs, reduce carbon emissions and lower fuel poverty and the Scottish Government need to get on-board and create the right conditions for fracking.
“Westminster is doing all it can to help the development of shale gas and I believe that we should be taking a similar approach in Scotland, particularly for former coal mining areas in Fife.”