Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

North Sea drilling is 'no brainer', EDF boss says, as Labour dawdles over oil and gas fields

gbnews.com · 4h · first reportShare

Approving two controversial North Sea fields is a "no-brainer", the head of energy giant EDF has said. Work has stopped at Rosebank, Britain's largest untapped oil field, and Jackdaw, a giant gas field, following legal challenges on climate grounds. The fields have become totemic in the energy debate, with unions and industry leaders saying they are vital for the economy and national security. But former energy minister Ed Miliband once described Rosebank as "climate vandalism" and campaigners have demanded the ban on drilling remains. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say A decision on their futures now lies with the Government. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged a "pragmatic approach". Asked whether the fields should be approved, EDF chief executive Simone Rossi said: "Green light. Absolutely. No doubt about it." He told the BBC that while moving from fossil fuels to electricity was the path to ultimately cheaper energy, the country was yet to reach the stage of abandoning oil and ga