Calls have been made in the Welsh Parliament for the Welsh Government to amend planning policy so that the British steel sector can purchase coal from Wales.
At present planning policy only allows coal extraction in wholly exceptional circumstances.
Despite our country still needing coal, we are reliant on imports. The UK imports approximately 3.4 million tonnes of coal annually.
The UK Government reported that more than 55,000 tonnes of coking coal arrived from Australia over the weekend for the Scunthorpe steel plant.
Commenting on the steel sector in Wales and the UK, Janet said:
“On one hand the Welsh nationalists argue that the furnaces should still be burning in Wales, but with the other they argue against using Welsh coal.
“It makes complete sense to source coking coal from our country, and boost economic growth in Wales.
“Andrew Morgan, WLGA, told our Climate Change Committee that Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is regularly contacted by private companies with offers to remediate disused tips owned by the council and make use of the coal.
“We should look at the possibility of such offers being accepted, and where safe, support the potential of re-mining as part of making tips secure.”
ENDS
