Power struggle
The members of the of the Scottish Parliament did their job today.
Big name, minute focus.
They contrived to give Energy Minister Jim Mather a tough time over to the Beauly-Denny replacement power line.
Not, you understand, that they were opposed to the line. It attracts widespread political support on the basis that its importance to the economy outweighs environmental concerns.
All the committee members piled in - but special mention might be made of Wendy Alexander and Lewis Macdonald.
Ms Alexander pursued matters of planning law with the dogged determination and resolve which, no doubt, endeared her to civil servants when she was a minister.
Mr Macdonald spotlighted the "mitigations" which have been announced by the government.
Concentrating minds
These are to the effect that ministers will expect plans from the developers to lessen the visual impact of the new line in a further three areas.
All fine and dandy, said Mr Macdonald - except that the planning inquiry reporter had recommended withholding consent in two of those areas in order to concentrate minds.
The minister had not thought to mention that to MSPs in his parliamentary statement last week.
Mr Mather was obliged to concede that was the case, arguing that he had thought it right, within the limited time available, to set out his own position rather than that of others.
So, close questioning. However, the minister did rally considerably when invited to set out the case for the line.
Its value, he said, would be "monumental", allowing Scotland to take renewable energy to the market and to give a "serious" declaration of intent on climate change targets.
One final thought. No mention, again, today of health worries among communities relatively close to the proposed line.
Such worries have previously been discounted - but, as I heard directly during my Big Debate in Stirling last week, they persist.
I'm 
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