All Sections
Scotland's National Newspaper
Edit Account-Sign Out
My AccountSign Out
BREAKING
5 hours ago Paul O’Grady’s final radio show to be rebroadcast on Easter Sunday
2 hours ago Gladiators legend dies aged 59 after cancer battle
3 hours ago Heathrow security staff start 10-day strike affecting Easter travels
3 hours ago Tributes pour as dad and son shot dead six-miles apart are named
4 hours ago Rotten meat in supermarkets report sparks national probe
5 hours ago Paul O’Grady’s husband shares the last picture they took together

MSPs challenge Salmond to back ban on biomass plants

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond was today being challenged to back a ban on new biomass plants until the environmental impact has been independently assessed.

By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Dec 2010, 10:53 BST
Updated 23rd Dec 2010, 12:32 BST

Edinburgh North & Leith Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm was set to use First Minister's Questions to press Mr Salmond to support the moratorium, which has already been endorsed by Lothians SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville and seven SNP colleagues.

Forth Energy wants to build a 360 million biomass power station at Leith docks and import woodchip from North America or Scandinavia to help fuel it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier this year, a study claimed the plant, billed as an example of green energy, would take at least 40 years to become carbon neutral because new trees would have to be planted to replace those used in the process.

Mr Chisholm said: "I want the First Minister to back a moratorium on new biomass plants pending further research into the consequences for climate change."