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Here are the top business stories making the headlines in the morning newspapers.

US could quadruple gas output

The global energy market has been suddenly upended by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but one energy boss says the US could step in and help shore up global supplies.

Toby Rice, who runs the US largest natural gas producer EQT, told the BBC the US could easily replace Russian gas supply.

"We've got the ability to do more, the desire to do more," Mr Rice said.

He estimated the US has the potential to quadruple its gas output by 2030.

Mr Rice's declaration that American companies could play a bigger role in providing gas to Europe, comes less than a week after US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm urged the country's fuel industry to pump more oil.

Call for freeport in north or north-east

One of Scotland's two freeports should be in the north or north-east, says the leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

Douglas Ross has thrown his support behind the two regions, arguing freeport status could create tens of thousands of jobs.

Two Scottish freeports will be named later this year after a £52 million deal was eventually struck between Holyrood and Westminster.

Speaking during a visit to Peterhead Port Authority, the MP for Moray said the investment would be "hugely important".

He told the Press and Journal: "I know competition will be fierce for these hubs because of their huge potential to spur investment, accelerate innovation and boost trade but I believe the north and north-east are well placed to submit fantastic bids."

Aberdeen and Peterhead ports are due to make a joint bid, with Cromarty Firth, Dundee and Rosyth among the ports also hoping to be selected for the special status, which offers tax reliefs and other incentives.

Immediate tax rise 'may be political rather than economic' move

A senior official previously charged with vetting the Treasury's plans has told the BBC that Chancellor Rishi Sunak can afford to postpone April's tax rises.

Sir Charlie Bean, who recently left the Office for Budget Responsibility, said the plan for an immediate rise may be political rather than economic.

April's National Insurance rise will tax the average worker £250 a year, and raise costs for firms which hire staff.

The Chancellor maintains the priority has to be shrinking the deficit.

Mr Sunak said that requires "hard work, prioritisation, and the willingness to make difficult and often unpopular arguments elsewhere".

But Sir Charlie said: "There is no problem in the UK borrowing several billion pounds for one extra year. What you can't run is sustained large deficits, but the pace at which you close a deficit is basically a political judgement."

The hike breaks a manifesto pledge and spells the highest tax burden since the 1950s.

Decision soon on platform legs in Brent field

A decision is finally on the way for whether Shell will be allowed to leave giant platform legs in the Brent field in the North Sea forever, according to Energy Voice.

The industry has been awaiting news from the UK Government for years on whether it will indeed allow Shell to leave the Eiffel Tower-sized structures in place for the Brent Bravo, Charlie and Delta.

Though the platform legs are huge, environmental concerns are mainly centred on the impact of the thousands of tonnes of oil-sediment contents within them being released into the sea as they gradually degrade.

Shell is seeking a "derogation" to the Ospar convention - which requires complete removal of oil and gas infrastructure from the seabed - allowing it to leave the Brent legs in position.

Other Ospar parties such as Germany and the Netherlands have argued this would be "unacceptable".

The decision, though, ultimately lies with the UK Government, and Shell said the decommissioning regulator OPRED is soon to disclose it.

Jobs for refugees

Major UK businesses are lining up to offer jobs to Ukrainian refugees in the UK.

The BBC says a group of more than 45 large companies is pressing the Government to make it easier for those driven out by Russia's invasion to come to this country.

Marks & Spencer, Asos, Lush and recruitment giant Robert Walters are some of the firms involved.

The UK Government has been criticised over the speed and scale of its response to the Ukraine refugee crisis.

The initiative is being led by British entrepreneur Emma Sinclair, the chief executive of Enterprise Alumni. She said it had quickly gained ground in a short space of time.

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Greens want 'fundamental' reform of Scottish energy system

The Scottish Greens have targeted a "fundamental" reform of the country's energy system to ease fuel poverty and reliance on fossil fuels.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie told the Green conference in Stirling that funding would be targeted at insulating homes and people struggling with their bills.

The party has now been in partnership government with the SNP for six months.

The BBC reports that Mr Harvie said the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia underlined the need to reduce reliance on oil and gas.

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