Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted in Part
Commit to issuing explanatory statements detailing how oil and gas applications are balanced.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government commit to issuing an explanatory statement after assessing each application, setting out how it has balanced the environmental impact against the economic and energy security benefits of oil and gas fields in its assessment. A justification is vital to ensure the industry and wider public can understand and be confident in the Government’s stewardship of the North Sea continental shelf. (Recommendation, Paragraph 76) Managing the transition
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating that once a decision is made, it will be published with reasons. However, it does not explicitly commit to a detailed explanatory statement outlining the balance between environmental, economic, and energy security factors for each application as requested.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The government partially agrees with this recommendation. Once the Secretary of State has reached a decision, the developer will be notified and the decision published which will set out reasons for the decision. OPRED decisions can be found on the OPRED website.