Opposing Underground Coal Gasification

On Saturday 25th October, Plaid Cymru in Llanelli will be moving a motion to the party’s Annual Conference in Llangollen to oppose Underground Coal Gasification in the Loughor Estuary.

Sean Rees, Campaign Manager for Plaid Cymru Llanelli who will be presenting the motion said:

“There are many likely hazards connected to UCG, a few include risk of subsidence, an adverse effect on cockle beds in the estuary, an increase in carbon emissions, as well as the potential contamination and pollution of our water supply.

There has been no clear answers to what the potential implications of UCG would be, for instance on our wildlife, property prices, tourism industry etc. We should be looking more at renewables like for example, the Tidal Lagoon project in Swansea Bay which is forecast to provide energy for more than 100,000 homes as well as being worth £300m to the Welsh economy.

We have listened to local residents concerns across the Constituency and as a result we have decided to submit this motion to our National Conference.”

Vaughan Williams, Plaid Llanelli Westminster candidate added:

“I believe the concerns surrounding UCG are yet another clear example of why control over all our energy and natural resources needs to be transferred to the National Assembly. As a result, decisions would then be taken here in the interests and safety of our communities. We cannot allow for another second for our resources to be exploited even more for Westminster’s gain.”

Motion to be presented at the Plaid Cymru Annual Conference…

Opposing Underground Coal Gasification

Conference notes:

1. In January 2013, the Coal Authority, an arm of the U.K Government’s Department of Energy + Climate Change awarded an UCG license for the Loughor Estuary to the investment company Cluff Natural Resources plc.

2. The company will have to apply for and be granted planning/environmental consents from the designated local authority to proceed with any proposed UCG development.

3. These new extraction methods may lead to an increase in contribution to global warming. There is compelling evidence from other parts of the world that UCG can lead to severe Health + Safety concerns as well as having an adverse effect on our environment.

4. UCG would have a disastrous effect on the northern part of the Gower coastline, as well as Llanelli’s Millennium Coastal Park. The specified area is also a designated ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ and ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.

5. There are clearly serious dangers involved with UCG operations, with no advantages whatsoever for the people of the area, such a development should be vehemently opposed by all people living in the area and beyond.

Conference supports:

1. The number of local organisations across Wales who are opposed to UCG developments.

2. The call for Natural Resources Wales to refuse environmental consents and for local authorities to refuse planning permission for any such developments.

3. The call for all applications to be subject to an environmental impact assessment and for the U.K and Welsh Governments to introduce a moratorium to prevent any further extreme energy schemes.

4. The full transferring of powers over energy and natural resources from Westminster to the Welsh Assembly.