Scottish 'Yes' Would Boost Chances for Norway Power Cable
A win for the Scottish independence movement in Thursday's referendum would boost the chances of building a power interconnection to Scotland from Norway, a project partner said. Three Norwegian power producers and Swedish utility Vattenfall plan to build a 1,400-megawatt cable, NorthConnect, from Norway to Peterhead in northeast Scotland. Norway's state-owned grid operator Statnett and Britain's National Grid are seeking government approval to build another cable, which would reach land in Blyth, northeast England. "In the case of a 'yes' vote ...
"Don't Break My Heart," British PM Begs Scots
British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday begged Scots not to rip apart the United Kingdom's "family of nations", flying to Scotland to man the barricades against a surge in support for independence eight days before a referendum. Cameron appealed to Scots to use their heads and their hearts when they voted on Sept. 18. He reminded them of their shared history and bonds with England, Wales and Northern Ireland - twice evoking World War Two and the fight against Hitler. He also warned that an independent Scotland could not keep the pound currency, jobs would head south, and the country's security be weakened.
Cameron Warns of Economic Threat from Scottish Breakaway
British Prime Minister David Cameron told Scots on Thursday that much of their industry and more than one million jobs could be put in jeopardy if they vote next month to leave the United Kingdom. In a high-stakes gamble three weeks before a referendum, Cameron travelled to Glasgow to spell out the risks of secession, having previously remained largely on the sidelines of the debate due to both his and his Conservative party's limited appeal in Scotland. Ignoring concerns that the campaign to keep the union together has been too negative, Cameron re-entered the fray to warn against the dangers of leaping "into the great unknown".
UK Oil and Gas Regulator to be Aberdeen-based
Britain's new oil and gas regulator will be based in Aberdeen, traditional heart of Britain's oil and gas industry, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander told an industry conference in the Scottish city on Thursday. The Oil & Gas Authority is being set up after recommendations by Sir Ian Wood as part of a strategic review published earlier this year, which identified the need for an agency with greater powers to foster collaboration and maximise recovery of oil and gas from the UK North Sea. Alex Salmond, first minister of Scotland…
Oil-Rich Shetland Elbows into Scotland's Independence Vote
Twelve hours by ferry from the Scottish mainland, hundreds of miles from Edinburgh and closer to Oslo than London, the windswept Shetland islands have their own aspirations about Scottish independence. Some of the 23,000 inhabitants even want their own. Many Shetlanders see the Sept. 18 vote on whether Scotland should end the 307-year-old union with England as an opportunity to gain control over local services and a share of revenues from the oil pumped from the North Sea. "The oil belongs to us. We don't have to argue about that. It is ours," said Shetlander Hazel Mackenzie, 43, who works in the livestock auction house in Shetland's main town of Lerwick.
Britain Warns Scots: Independence would Hurt Energy Industry
Britain on Tuesday warned Scots that voting for independence would put jobs and investment in the Scottish energy industry at risk, threatening the commercial viability of North Sea oil and gas fields and renewable energy projects. In September Scotland will hold an referendum on whether to sever its 307-year tie with England, with Scottish nationalists arguing that a split would give them greater economic freedom. The British government wants to keep the union intact and has produced a series of analysis papers arguing its case on issues such as the currency, security and finance.
Divorce Costs Could Sour Scotland's North Sea Hopes
Scottish nationalists are betting $2.5 trillion of hydrocarbons trapped miles beneath the North Sea could bankroll an independent Scotland, but winning control of the European Union's largest oil reserves would be no blank cheque. Scotland says the bulk of Britain's North Sea oil and gas reserves are in its waters, while London says any division would be subject to negotiations should Scots vote to end their 307-year-old union with England in a referendum on Sept. 18. Oil is the punch in Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond's pitch for…
