Gas-protestors land in Brussels

At the beginning of April protestors from Wales were out in force in Brussels. Supported by Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans and AM Bethan Jenkins, environmental groups petitioned the European Parliament against the National Grid’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline.
The European Commission has been looking into possible breaches of EU law relating to the pipeline, which stretches 150 miles from Milford Haven to Gloucestershire.
Meanwhile, residents opposed to the Hafod landfill site near Wrexham gave evidence on their own petition.
“The Petitions Committee and European Commission take these cases very seriously and obviously think there may be a case to answer,” said Jill Evans after the hearing. “Climate change, our natural energy resources, and how we dispose of our waste are presenting major challenges. We need to look at sustainable, long-term solutions that also take into account the views of local communities. The petitioners deserve a lot of credit for the way they stated their case.”
Jill Evans has also been campaigning against a “done deal” reclassifying some waste incineration as “energy recovery”.
She said: “Waste incinerators are designed to dispose of rubbish. They are not efficient at producing energy and produce more CO2 per unit than a coal-fired power station.” Ms Evans favours laws that promote waste reduction, re-use and recycling.