Plaid MEP Jill Evans said she was disappointed with a vote in the European Parliament which she fears will weaken the requirements on companies involved in the storage of LNG or liquefied natural gas.

MEPs were voting on a new package of legislation dealing with the gas market in Europe. The Plaid MEP is supporting groups from South Wales who have brought petitions to the European Parliament concerning the LNG terminal and pipeline which runs from Milford Haven to Gloucester.

Part of the new European legislation deals with requirements for companies to disclose information to the public, but following a Conservative amendment, this will not now apply to LNG facilities with less than three suppliers.

Plaid MEP Jill Evans said:

"One of people's main concerns about the LNG terminal and pipeline in South Wales has been the lack of information to the public.

"With this in mind I'm very disappointed that a loophole has now been created which would allow operators of LNG storage facilities to keep information hidden from public view.

"As it stands if an LNG storage facility has less than three customers then there will be no public information disclosure requirement. This is at odds with the principles of openness and transparency which we've been trying to promote and will harm consumer confidence.

"The LNG pipeline across South Wales runs for some one hundred and fifty miles from Milford Haven to Gloucester, running within a few metres of people's homes in some places.

"I've met campaigners from the Swansea Valley, Pembrokeshire and elsewhere who tell me how difficult it is to get information from the companies involved. Unfortunately this new legislation isn't going to make that any easier."

Ends.