January 22, 2013
Wales

Carmarthen MP’s anger at minister over turbines plan

South Wales Evening Post | January 22, 2013 | www.thisissouthwales.co.uk

A Carmarthen MP says it is an “insult” and “disgrace” that the man who will decide whether a 28-turbine wind farm will be built at Brechfa is not planning to visit the area before making his decision.

MP Gregory Barker, Minister of State for Climate Change, has said he has no plans to visit Carmarthenshire before ruling on RWE npower renewables’ application for Brechfa Forest West.

The company wants to site the turbines on Forestry Commission land to the east of the existing Alltwalis Windfarm.

Mr Barker is due to make a decision in the next few months.

He was asked by Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards if he would be visiting the area.

Currently projects which generate over 50MW of energy are determined by the UK Government.

Plaid Cymru MP Mr Edwards, who has proposed legislation on several occasions to see the devolution of energy policy to the Welsh Assembly, said the response as an “insult” and a “disgrace”.

He is now preparing for a Parliamentary debate in which he can force the Minister to the House of Commons for questioning on the issue.

Mr Edwards said: “Since becoming an elected member I have fought for the full devolution of energy policy so that our nationally elected politicians, who are accountable to the people of Wales, can decide on major energy projects such as wind farm proposals.

“The natural resources of Wales belong to the people of Wales.

“Decisions about the utilisation of our resources should be made by our own democratic bodies, not by an imperial government in London.

“It’s one thing to pass judgement in London, but to not even visit the area and have the most basic understanding of the community is an insult to my constituents and nothing short of a disgrace.

“I am now seeking a Parliamentary Adjournment Debate in which I will force the Minister to the House of Commons and put my constituents’ disdain to him directly.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/22/carmarthen-mps-anger-at-minister-over-turbines-plan/