Douglas Lumsden MSP has criticised the Scottish Government after it emerged that the Cabinet Secretary for Energy will no longer be responsible for determining major energy infrastructure projects, including wind farms and transmission pylons.
The change follows growing concerns about the handling of sensitive energy decisions and raises serious questions about transparency, accountability and leadership at the heart of the SNP Government.
Douglas Lumsden has been at the forefront of efforts to hold Ministers to account, pressing the Scottish Government to explain why such a significant responsibility has been quietly removed and what this means for communities affected by major developments.
Commenting on the situation, Douglas said:
“This is an embarrassing climbdown by the SNP and a clear sign of a government in disarray. Decisions that have huge implications for communities, businesses and Scotland’s energy future must be made transparently and with full accountability. Instead, the SNP are ducking responsibility and undermining confidence in the planning system.”
He added that communities across the North East deserve clarity and honesty when it comes to large-scale energy projects that can transform local landscapes and economies.
