Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans has called for a Europe-wide moratorium on fracking as environmental groups in Wales today (Saturday) hold a day of campaigning for a ‘frack-free Wales’.
Today’s events, organized by local groups of Friends of the Earth across Wales, are part of a Europe-wide criticism of plans to drill for gas through unorthodox ‘fracking’methods that involve the pumping of chemical filled water below ground to release shale gas.
During her recent European campaign – when she was elected to represent Wales in Europe for the fourth time – Jill Evans highlighted the negative environmental impact of fracking and the need to invest in clean and green unlimited renewable energy rather than try to extract dirty and polluting shale gas.
Plaid Cymru Jill Evans MEP criticised the Welsh Government’s failure to stand up for Wales against the UK Government’s ‘dash for dirty gas’, accusing the government of sitting on the fence while Plaid Cymru campaign for renewable energy and for Wales to take full control of its energy future.
Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans said:
“Despite widespread public opposition to fracking, the UK Government continue to push shale gas and fracking as an answer to our energy security problems, while the Welsh Government stay silent rather than standing up for Wales against this ‘dash for dirty gas’.
“There are clear environmental concerns with fracking, such as contamination of the water table, methane leakage and earthquakes, as we saw off the coast of Lancashire when drilling began there.
“Just as bad is the proposal, backed by the three major UK parties, to allow drilling to frack beneath peoples’ homes – without their permission!
“Meanwhile, once again, Wales will not benefit financially from our natural resources as there will be limited jobs created and profits sent elsewhere.
“The solution to concerns about our future energy security is to invest in energy efficiency to reduce energy use and cut bills and to generate more renewable energy through Wales’ substantial hydro and tidal power opportunities, such as the tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay.
“With all of this debate taking place, it is disappointing that the Welsh Government remains silent when it comes to fracking, sat on the fence.
“They have had three years to make up their minds on fracking as they control the planning process in Wales – yet they refuse to order a moratorium on a process that could affect up to a million people, one third of our population.
“Plaid Cymru has clearly made the case for Wales taking control of our own energy future and making sure that our energy supply is secure. No other party will make sure that Wales’s voice is heard.”
