Tory policy gone with the wind - frankly, they don't give a damn!

5.16.00am GMT Tue 3rd Jun 2008

Speaking ahead of today's Conservative debate on wind farms, Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, warned that the Conservatives were up to their old tricks of shouting green rhetoric but failing to support renewable wind energy plans in Wales.

In this afternoon's debate, Mike German will also call on the Government to explain why so little has been achieved on the TAN 8 wind targets. Since guidance was adopted in 2005, only 73 additional mega watts have become operational.

Mike German, South Wales East AM said:

"The debate today shows that the Tories are once more up to their old tricks showing that their green credentials are only skin deep and it goes to show that if you vote blue you don't get green.

"How do the Tories expect us to make any meaningful contributions to our renewable energy targets in Wales without the use of wind power?

Their motion calls on abandoning plans to build wind turbines on Forestry Commission Wales land, putting further delays on reaching the renewable energy targets.

"Climate change is the biggest threat facing us today and we need to be setting ambitious targets to achieve the lowest carbon emission targets possible.

"The Tories stunt last week of playing down their "green credentials" by accepting a signed petition from hauliers proves that they are not committed the tacking climate change. Tory energy policy has gone with the wind- frankly, they don't give a damn!

"The Assembly Government also needs to get its green act together given that so far we have only achieved 73MW since the 2005 TAN 8 guidance was established. A target if 1,500MW by 2010 looks like a distant dream.

"I want a clear explanation from the Labour-Plaid government of how we will reach the targets set up to provide clean energy as well as more ambitious targets in the Energy Route Map.

"Renewable energy sources account for just 4.6% of the UK's domestic electricity, well off the 10% target for 2010. We as a party want to see Wales on the forefront of providing clean, safe and renewable energy.

"There is a great deal of work for Governments to do to mitigate climate change. I do not believe that wind energy is the only way forward - as a party, the Welsh Liberal Democrats favour investment into energy saving and energy efficiency as well as the development of a full portfolio of renewable energy sources here in Wales."

Notes:

In Westminster on Monday 2nd June, the Conservatives abstained on a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Planning Bill calling on the government to transfer power on large scale energy infrastructure projects to the Assembly. Labour voted against the amendment.

Planning is currently devolved to the Assembly, except in the case of large scale energy infrastructure projects - anything over 50MW. .

This amendment would leave Wales out of the Infrastructure Planning Commission, so that these powers would remain with the Secretary of State