Welsh villagers oppose CBM application

A bid to test drill for coalbed methane (CBM) and shale gas in Port Talbot woodlands in Wales, UK, has been the focus of a meeting by campaigners who want to halt the plans.

Residents of Pontrhydyfen fear the proposal by Bridgend's UK Methane could pollute and industrialise Foel Fynyddau Forest.

An earlier application was rejected by Neath Port Talbot council over noise level concerns.

According to the BBC, the new proposal is the same but now has a noise management plan.

The company wants temporary permission to drill an exploratory borehole to test for CBM and shale gasses.

But organisers of the public meeting, the Afan-Nedd Against Fracking group, said they do not want to see exploratory drilling for gas because many are afraid it could lead to fracking for gas in the future.

UK Methane argues it has drilled six similar boreholes in south Wales over the past few years and has had no problems as a result, adding that the industry could even lead to more jobs in the area.

The application is currently out to consultation until 19 February.

Edited from various sources by Sam Dodson

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/cbm/04022015/welsh-villagers-oppose-coalbed-methane-application-cbm200/