Welsh Government to do nothing to protect Wales from fracking

13 August 2013

The Welsh Government has turned down the opportunity to protect communities from the threat of fracking, and will instead follow the pro-fracking lead from Westminster.

The Minister for Planning Carl Sargeant could introduce stricter planning controls on drilling for shale gas, but in a letter to Friends of the Earth Cymru [1] has said he would only act to protect communities in Wales if legislation is changed to do so in England.

Fracking can pollute groundwater, has already caused earthquakes in England, and can potentially have even higher climate emissions than coal.

Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:

"Communities right across Wales are crying out for the Welsh Government to stand up and do something to protect them from fracking. Instead it's decided to wait for changes to be made in England - if they happen at all.

"This makes a mockery of devolution. Instead of considering the particular circumstances in Wales and protecting Welsh communities, our government is hanging on the coat-tails of the most pro-fracking government in Europe.

"Devolution means we can follow a path that best serves the people of Wales. With areas in Swansea, Bridgend, Neath, Rhondda, Wrexham and Newport already licensed for fracking, the Welsh Government must be prepared to listen to communities here, and not just wait for the politicians in Westminster to decide.

"There's plenty of expert evidence that fracking won't lead to cheaper fuel bills, but it will keep us hooked on dirty fuels and destroy any chance of tackling our climate change emissions. Wales has some of the best renewable energy resources on the planet - instead of this obsession with digging up our towns and countryside for every drop of fossil fuel, we should get on with the job of being at the forefront of a clean industrial revolution."

Notes

1. Freedom of Information request, Welsh Government, 9 August
   (copy available on request)
   "Dear Mr Clubb
   Thank you for your email of 5 July regarding a recent ruling of the European Court of Justice relating to the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2011/ 92/EC). I am aware that the UK Government has previously announced a review of screening thresholds with a view to raising them. I will consider what is proposed in England prior to consider whether similar changes are appropriate for Wales. I will consider the screening threshold for deep drillings (Paragraph 2(d) of the table in Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999) at that time.
   Yours sincerely
   Carl Sargeant AC / AM
   Y Gweinidog Tai ac Adfywio
   Minister for Housing and Regeneration"

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