Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans has warned the UK Government against easing restrictions on drilling and hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) under people’s homes to produce shale gas – without needing the householders’ permission.
The proposals are amongst those announced in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech – the UK Government’s legislative programme for 2014-15.
Plaid Cymru has expressed serious concern about the environmental impacts of fracking and the false economy of a dash for dirty gas compared to investment in long-term renewable energy production.
In the European Parliament, Jill Evans MEP was the only Welsh MEP to vote against a report on environmental impact assessments which exempted drilling applications.
Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans said:
“Plans from the UK Government to allow international gas speculators to drill under our own homes, without our permission, are astonishing, but likely to be introduced in tomorrow’s legislative programme.
“There were mini-earthquakes near the Lancashire coast when drilling took place nearby, so as somebody who comes from a former coal-mining community, there is a very real worry about the effects of drilling underneath our houses and causing subsidence.
“But, regardless of these plans to ease drilling restrictions, the UK Government’s support for fracking is very worrying.
“There needs to be a serious and grown-up conversation about energy policy in the future, including the public, not just politicians.
“The UK Government is obsessed with fracking and a dash for dirty gas while failing to invest in long-term renewable energy solutions.
“There are clear environmental concerns with fracking, such as contamination of the water table, while, once again, Wales will not benefit financially from our natural resources. Plaid Cymru believes that there should be no fracking, at least until safety and environmental issues are resolved.
“It is disappointing that the Welsh Government remains on the fence when it comes to fracking.
“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.”
