Talking "Fracking": A Consultation on Unconventional Oil and Gas

Evidence from Australia, the USA and every other country that has utilised unconventional oil and gas reserves has shown that, for local communities, the results are disastrous for health and the land. Despite reassurances from the industry, who are after all looking at the profits rather than anything else and despite the derisory financial "gift" offered by these companies the weight of environment against 'perhaps' slightly lower bills is not equal. I'd rather see investment in renewables, already Scotland is leading the way and could be a global example for the future. Rather than throw money after diminishing fossil fuels, the changes need to be made now. I live not too far from Grangemouth. The pollution from there is subtly ignored as the company is seen as important. Looking at the map of polluted areas in Scotland it was interesting to see the areas surrounding the Grangemouth plant were highlighted. That is not coincidence.

What is the 'community benefit scheme' that will help if there is an accident or the local area is polluted to the point of making locals ill? These bribes are derisory and patronising. Again, look at what has happened to small, working class communities in the USA and Australia. The working class are ignored as it is, companies may pay for a community centre or something that costs a few thousand, while profiting billions and permanently damaging the area.

Scotland has a large agricultural sector, when the land is spoiled by extraction then what? When we can't make whisky because our water has gone from the best to the water as seen in communities in the USA (or, as in Australia, the water can be set alight) then what? People dislike the look of wind turbines (although I don't). They won't particularly like the impact of this industry and there is the tourism gone too. These companies may give a boost to the economy for a short time but their legacy will impact negatively for decades.

No, as I said before, we are already getting a reputation for renewables and should build and profit from that. Redacted text We should develop wind, solar, wave and hydro and lead the world as a shining example.

Redacted text. I can tell you, I see the flares of Grangemouth from my house. You can smell it on the air.Redacted text Again, it's not an 'if' but 'when'. It *always* happens. Always. And governments never learn.

Again, renewables. Please, it is the only consideration for the future. Unconventional oil and gas can never be clean energy and that is what we need. We are at the tipping point, we are possibly past the tipping point, due to our reliance on fossil fuels.Redacted text. Several European countries have banned fracking, we should follow suit.

Well, the system of regulation would be flouted by companies looking to harvest the biggest profit. They are not out for the community or to benefit the country as a whole. They are for profit margins and shareholders. There is no regulatory framework that has worked for the people or the environment, there is no regulatory framework that the companies won't find loopholes in.

None, possibly cheap energy for a little while Redacted text That's it. Renewables, renewables, renewables. The people who moan about how they look would moan doubly at the sight of whatever Ineos have planned to extract the oil and gas.

I asked Ineos about the water aquifer and possible contamination. They told me they poured concrete down so all would be well. Structural engineers I told this to laughed and said that was utter rubbish. Indeed Redacted text It's too risky for local areas, people, environment. Again, plenty of evidence of what has happened in the USA and Australia, both countries have regulations that have mattered not one jot. Scotland could be a world leader but fracking is a looking backwards at fossil fuels rather than making investments that will last and truly benefit the country for generations.

Redacted text Listen to the people, look at the evidence, I don't want to be able to set fire to my tap water simply for a few £ off my bill (and as a working class single mother budgets are tight and important to me.) I'd rather have a Scotland where my children and their children can grow and experience a society that is forward thinking, that puts it's people first. Wind turbines should be community owned, rather than have rich landowners subsidised. Scotland needs to show that it can be a positive, community-led small country.