Welsh Moratorium on Unconventional Gas Development

Wales moved on Wednesday to join with Scotland in the movement against the use of fracking in unconventional gas extraction.

The Welsh Assembly voted through a proposal banning fracking in Wales until 2021 to allow health and climate risks to be investigated more extensively.

The opposition Plaid Cymru led the debate, proposing a motion that the Labour led Welsh Government “do everything within its power to prevent fracking from taking place in Wales until it is proven to be safe in both an environmental and public health context.”

Plaid’s Llyr Gruffyd, North Wales Assembly Member, said: “It’s a historic day. This is a clear statement from the National Assembly for Wales that we want a frack-free Wales.”

The moratorium called also received the support of the Conservative party, but with the right to opt-in for communities if they want it.

Tory Assembly member Antoinette Sandbach said: “It is clear that shale gas exploitation has a contribution to make to a long-term economic plan for Wales’ energy generation, but until its impact on our environment and homes is properly assessed, we need a moratorium.

 “The views of the local people likely to benefit from fracking, or who will be affected by fracking must be paramount and a moratorium with community right to opt-in to support fracking will empower people.