Local Scottish Labour Candidate, Carol Mochan has called on the Scottish and UK Governments and East Ayrshire Council to join forces to break the log jam over the restoration of the derelict opencast coal sites.
She said,
"We desperately need a breakthrough on this environmental catastrophe instead of constantly blaming each other for being where we are. I am asking the UK and Scottish Governments and East Ayrshire Council to consider the potential of a Biomass Project which would see the sites restored; a biomass crop grown on the sites producing carbon neutral fuel, jobs created; and a renewable cheap energy source for the benefit of individuals and public sector bodies.There are a variety of energy crops that could be considered for such a project. There are examples of this being done successfully in other parts of the UK and in Europe both combined with coal extraction and as a replacement for fossil fuels.
I am confident that there is the technology and business expertise available to make this possible. I am calling on all the key players to give the political lead on this that East Ayrshire deserves and to work with the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust to achieve a successful outcome. I have written to Scottish Secretary, David Mundell; Scottish Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing, and East Ayrshire Chief Executive Fiona Lees setting out my views and asking them to give this serious consideration."
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She said,
"We desperately need a breakthrough on this environmental catastrophe instead of constantly blaming each other for being where we are. I am asking the UK and Scottish Governments and East Ayrshire Council to consider the potential of a Biomass Project which would see the sites restored; a biomass crop grown on the sites producing carbon neutral fuel, jobs created; and a renewable cheap energy source for the benefit of individuals and public sector bodies.There are a variety of energy crops that could be considered for such a project. There are examples of this being done successfully in other parts of the UK and in Europe both combined with coal extraction and as a replacement for fossil fuels.
I am confident that there is the technology and business expertise available to make this possible. I am calling on all the key players to give the political lead on this that East Ayrshire deserves and to work with the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust to achieve a successful outcome. I have written to Scottish Secretary, David Mundell; Scottish Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing, and East Ayrshire Chief Executive Fiona Lees setting out my views and asking them to give this serious consideration."
ends