SWANSEA COUNCIL VOTES NO TO FRACKING
Published: 3 Feb 2016
SWANSEA COUNCIL VOTES NO TO FRACKING AND YES TO BECOMING FOSSIL FREE
Swansea Friends of the Earth and local residents celebrated the news today that Swansea councillors have voted to become a frack free area and to proceed with plans to become fossil free by 2025.
This follows a recent campaign by Swansea Friends of the Earth and others to stop fracking and other forms of unconventional gas extraction in Swansea.
It also follows similar declarations by Monmouthshire Council and Ceredigion Council to keep their areas frack free.
Swansea Friends of the Earth spokesperson John Childs said:
We are delighted that tonight the whole Council in passing this "frack free" resolution have responded to the very real concerns of local people regarding the health, water pollution and other risks presented by this controversial technology. They have send out a clear message that fracking and the extraction of methane gas is unwelcome and has no future in Swansea.
Furthermore, the Council aims to become fossil free by 2025 and aspires to be a leading provider of Tidal and Wind power within the UK!
Indicating that they wish the face up to the challenges of climate change in developing the local economy."
“Fracking isn’t needed here or anywhere and has been linked to many problems such as increased climate change emissions, air and water pollution, increased lorry movements and decreasing house prices.
Friends of the Earth Cymru spokesperson Bleddyn Lake said:
“We congratulate Swansea Council on their decision not support applications for the unconventional exploration or extraction of gas, including fracking in the Swansea area and we urge other local authorities in Wales to follow their example. We also now urge the Welsh Government to declare an outright ban on fracking as soon as they have the necessary powers to put the whole of Wales on the frack free map.
ENDS
NOTES:
Friends of the Earth has produced a briefing outlining its concerns about fracking
https://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/facts-about-fracking-85615.pdf
CONTACT
Friends of the Earth Cymru: 02920 229 577
Twitter: www.twitter.com/foecymrucydd
Facebook: www.facebook.com/foecymrucydd