The SNP will come under renewed pressure to make a decision on fracking today when ministers publish a tranche of expert evidence on its potential impact.
The Scottish Government is weighing up whether to make its temporary ban on the energy extraction technique permanent.
Paul Wheelhouse, the energy minister, is to release reports commissioned by the Scottish Government on the environmental, health and economic impacts of fracking following a statement to MSPs this afternoon.
He is also expected to announce the start of a public consultation.
But parties on both sides of the debate are demanding a decision is made immediately.
Scottish Labour’s environment spokeswoman Claudia Beamish said the Nationalists must ban it today.
“The climate change science is already irrefutable,” she said.
“We don’t need another fossil fuel and we shouldn’t lock ourselves into relying on one when we need to be moving on to clean energy.”
Alexander Burnett, the Scottish Conservative’s energy spokesman, said approving fracking would boost and economy and create jobs.
“Our position remains that the SNP has already commissioned expert scientific advice, which found that fracking can safely take place in Scotland,” he said.
Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, involves drilling into the ground and shooting a mixture of water, sand and chemicals to release trapped gas.
A moratorium has been in place since January last year, which temporarily forbids fracking despite the existence of UK-issued licences for swathes of central Scotland.
Among the areas considered ripe for fracking are around Methil, Kirkcaldy and Rosyth in Fife.
Nicola Sturgeon is “highly sceptical” of fracking, but has said the Scottish Government will wait for the evidence and give the public their chance to comment before making a decision.
