Boilers - Edinburgh''s politicians in boiler row

13/02/2008

Environmentally-friendly boilers are reportedly at the centre of a political row in Scotland.

The dispute started after the Scottish Liberal Democrats' environment spokesman Jim Hume called on ministers to provide more support for the biomass industry, reports the Edinburgh Evening News.

Political opponents almost immediately pointed out that the Lib Dem group on Edinburgh council last year cancelled plans to install biomass boilers in seven of the capital's schools.

At the time it was claimed the programme was shelved because of worries the emissions generated by the boilers may cause breathing difficulties among children, but Labour councillors insist the Lib Dems took the decision for purely financial reasons.

Labour councillor Andrew Burns told the newspaper: "It is hugely hypocritical that a Lib Dem MSP is urging the government to press ahead with biomass, when local Lib Dems have cancelled the most significant biomass project in central Scotland."

The Scottish government recently revealed plans to set a statutory target to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.