Letters / Money is not the problem
Many issues requiring attention: fixed links, harbours, space ports, Fair Isle, Orion, Nova, wind farms, housing, fishing, energy etc were discussed with UK Government minister Iain Stewart during his recent visit.
Reports in the local press afterwards indicated that he was in broad agreement with Shetland’s quests, and his senior colleague Michael Gove, UK minister in charge of UK Levelling Up, agrees.
In the past budget constraints have been used as one of the excuses to obfuscate and delay progress.
Both they and the SIC will remember that a UK Government has no such funding constraints as it is in charge of issuing our currency (I refer to Stephanie Kelton’s excellent book The Deficit Myth which should be read by all). Money therefore should not be the problem.
Progress now depends on continued local pressure, by the SIC/councillors, and political action at Westminster. The lack of progress via the Holyrood route has been self-evident since its establishment – zero.
Holyrood’s decision to oppose the Cambo oil development (which is not even within its devolved remit) is a strange one, and even malign. Do they not realise that in addition to oil, Cambo also contains gas which would come to Shetland together with the satellite opportunities of Glenlivet Edradour, Glendronach, Rosebank and Victory to join the Tormore-Laggan pipeline and guarantee the Shetland many decades of operation and contribute to the UK’s energy requirements and security.
It will also complement the Orion project and in due course hydrogen developments for perhaps a century or more.
I recommend all individuals should read Daniel Gears excellent Viewpoint of 22nd February on energy matters, and recent letters from Mr James Paton and Mr William Polson.
The Tory administration, although occupied with urgent matters in the Ukraine, should pay immediate attention to Shetland’s continuing needs and help to secure the nation’s energy requirements.
Shetland should continue to exert pressure (in the national interest of course) on Westminster to finance these projects directly so that we will not have to endure another 550 years of benign neglect from elsewhere.
Some suggest (reference the 18/2 vote) that more autonomy (Faroe – nUK Crown colony?) could be a way forward to address many of these issues.
Recently two families left Yell, who would have remained if there had been a tunnel – quicker and more reliable to get to the Sullom terminals, and work – that tells its own story.
The SNP/Greens propose TotalEnergies to shut down their interest in the Russian Yamal lng operation. However Yamal lng already moves eastwards via the Bering Strait arctic route by another Chinese equity holder to their homeland and any cargo previously destined for Britain would just be diverted east. Any Yamal volume to Britain can easily be replaced from Totals substantial interest in their Cameron lng facility in Louisiana.
Therefore do not compromise any supply from the Cambo complex which will help to keep the lights on and heat UK homes, via contributions from Sullom.
Cecil Robertson
Inverness
