Scotsman: ‘Ban coalbed methane extraction near residential areas’
THE Scottish Government should follow the lead of New South Wales and ban the controversial extraction of coalbed methane within a 2km exclusion zone of residential areas, a leading environmental campaign group has said.
Such a move would block the disputed gas development at Letham Moss, near Airth, where Australian energy giant Dart Energy, is drilling for coalbed methane, Friends of the Earth Scotland (FoES) have said.
The project in the Forth Valley is the company’s most advanced European venture and the technique being used is similar to fracking.
Local protests against the development are underway with concerns raised about the threat to housing, tourism and leisure. In December Network Rail warned the practice could lead to an explosion beside one of Scotland’s busiest mainline railways. MORE