Energy Policy and Planning in Wales report is a step forward for Wales – William Powell AM
William Powell, Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, has welcomed the Energy Policy and Planning in Wales report released today by Environment and Sustainability Committee Chair Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM.
William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said:
"Today's launch is the culmination of many months of work by all members of the Assembly's Environment and Sustainability Committee. Throughout the course of our evidence sessions we heard from a wide variety of witnesses and I am pleased to see the level to which that evidence has contributed to the final report.
I would like to pay tribute to all our witnesses, Committee Members across the party spectrum and the excellent Committee team that has made this possible. Last but not least, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas deserves special thanks for his wise and judicious chairing of the Inquiry.
Some of the recommendations will not make easy reading for the Welsh Government. Clearly Wales has been falling behind when it comes to both Energy policy and Planning, and I firmly believe that the recommendations within this report represent a positive step forward for Wales - and should be implemented systematically.
The Committee listened extensively to evidence from towns and communities across Wales and heard the informed and indispensable comments from those who have been ignored by successive Welsh Governments.
It is clear that the lack of effective leadership, combined by feeble community engagement, has left Wales with a damaging trust deficit when it comes to both energy and planning issues. If this is going to be overcome the Welsh Government must begin listening to and fully engaging with its rural communities, and deliver policies which meet our energy needs without disproportionately compromising parts of our countryside.
As we attempt to build a successful low carbon economy, this report demonstrates the essential need for a stable energy mix. As such we cannot afford to rule out any form of renewable energy, while recognizing the possible limitations of each. It is clear that aspects of TAN 8 are now out of date, and I continue to call on the Welsh Government to deliver the reviews which have been promised in the past.
If we are going to make this low carbon economy a success, we must ensure that everything we do is the very best for all parts of Wales."