Environmentalists are demanding a public inquiry after a Court of Session decision on the future of open-cast mine sites effectively relieved Scottish Coal's liquidators of responsibility for some former sites.
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: "It is simply unacceptable that these companies are to be allowed to walk away without cleaning up the mess they've left. It's time for Scotland to seize the full potential of renewables."
Anne McCall, RSPB Scotland regional director, said: "This is a dreadful decision. It is unthinkable private companies can cause such damage and walk away."
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