2000 back call for Minister to intervene at Mossmorran

A campaign to a Scottish Government minister calling for action at Mossmorran has been backed by almost 2000 people.
Roseanna Cunningham. (Pic: John Devlin)Roseanna Cunningham. (Pic: John Devlin)
Roseanna Cunningham. (Pic: John Devlin)

They have all signed the online email to Roseanna Cunningham, Environment Secretary, which sets out demands for immediate action to protect local communities impacted by pollution from ExxonMobil’s petrochemical plant.

The plant recently re-started after a six-month shut down, and ran into more headlines after unscheduled flaring, which could be seen across the Forth.

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The Scottish Greens, which launched the email campaign, called for an urgent inquiry into the future of the plant at First Minister’s Questions last Thursday

Mark Ruskell, the party’s environment spokesman, l said: “I’m not surprised so many people have objected to Mossmorran. The unplanned flaring at this fossil fuel relic has made life a misery for local residents.

NHS Fife has also confirmed that the ongoing mismanagement of the plant has seriously impacted on their health and wellbeing.”

He said SEPA - the Scottish Environment Protection Agency - expressing disappointment ”was not enough.”

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Mr Ruskell added: The Scottish Government cannot continue to ignore those who are suffering as a result of this inaction.

“Roseanna Cunningham must finally heed the call for an urgent independent inquiry into the future of Exxonmobil in Mossmorran and immediate action to protect these local communities.”

Stuart Neill, External Affairs Manager for ExxonMobil said: "Our commitment to reducing the frequency and impact of flaring is well documented, and is underlined by the £140m additional investment announced in September last year to upgrade key infrastructure and introduce new technologies."This includes technologies that reduce the impact of flaring, such as a state-of-the-art flare tip, which will reduce noise and vibration."Having only begun production in 1985, the Fife Ethylene Plant is in fact one of the youngest facilities of its kind anywhere in Europe.

“The new investments help sustain the long-term competitiveness of the plant, allowing us to continue to support hundreds of skilled jobs and make a major contribution to both Fife and Scotland's economies."