DANGEROUS hydrocarbons released at Mossmorran show an urgent need for government intervention, the Scottish Greens warned today.

Fife’s Exxon Mobil plant is facing prosecution after a second public body submitted complaints about breaches of regulations at the site. 

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has submitted a formal report to the Procurator Fiscal over leaks of hydrocarbons at the plant in 2019.

It follows a similar report submitted by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in July 2020 calling for prosecution in relation to flaring at the Mossmorran complex in April 2019.

Ministers must take urgent action over the Fife plant, the Greens say.

Mark Ruskell MSP said the complaint “raises serious doubts about the operator’s commitment to even the most basic compliance issues.

“With that in mind, it’s clear they cannot be left to their own devices when it comes to tackling the climate emergency,” he said.

A spokesman for ExxonMobil said: “We were fully aware of, and were actively working solutions to, these matters. We cooperated constructively with the HSE, and these matters have since been fully resolved.

“Fife Ethylene Plant works within the highest regulatory standards, is committed to its environmental responsibilities and complies with all applicable laws.

“We operate to the very highest safety and risk management practices, and work closely with the HSE in full compliance with their approved processes.

“It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”