Shale gas represents an opportunity for Wales but it must not come at the expense of Wales's natural environment. Both the UK and Welsh Governments must consider environmental risks, including the traffic and noise caused by commercial shale gas operations as well as the visual impact and other environmental risks associated with fracking. The issue of treatment, transportation and disposal of wastewater is a growing concern: toxic and radioactive water must not be allowed to contaminate water courses. The Government forecasts that nearly 70% of the UK's gas supply will be imported by 2025. It is vital that the UK identifies new sources of gas if it is to safeguard the UK's security of supply. Shale gas production across the UK is currently at the exploratory stage and there is no good data yet on the amount of shale gas in Wales. Should considerable reserves of shale gas be present-as industry representatives predict-it could be a decade before a viable shale gas industry is created in Wales. The UK Government and the Welsh Government should work with commercial companies and others to provide a reliable range of estimates of shale gas available in Wales and assess the overall impact of shale gas supply on the level and mix of energy produced in Wales and the UK. The Welsh Government should also begin to consider how the employment opportunities presented by shale gas production could be maximised

Government response to HC 284, session 2014-15 (ISBN 9780215072962), published 16th June 2014

The Committee's major inquiry into Energy in Wales was published on 20 July 2006 (HC 867-I 2005-06) did not cover open cast mining. However there was a proviso that "should open cast mining in Wales be extended further, an in-depth assessment of the environmental impact of that process would be worthwhile". Following representations by the Opnecast Coal Committee of Wales and groups opposed to such developments the Committee decided to undertake this follow-up inquiry. It also took evidence on the development of sustainable technologies and measures to encourage microgeneration.