24/01/07

The protest against the construction of a 150 mile long, high pressure gas pipeline is heating up in South Wales.

The proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline is being constructed to run from Milford Haven in South Wales to Gloucestershire; if complete, this will become the UK's largest gas pipeline. Since construction began in March 2006[1] there has been constant resistance.

In November, activists squatted one of the main sites and have been broadly supported by locals who do not want a pipeline to destroy their community[2]. There are worries about the potential devastating impact on the environment as the route of the pipeline goes through some of the most beautiful Welsh countryside and has already damaged part of the Brecon Beacons National Park fragile ecosystem[3 + 4]. Another huge concern is that - despite running at an unprecendentedly high pressure - the pipeline goes over the only earthquake faultline in UK[5] and through areas considered unsafe even for mains gas supply[6].

The company set up specifically to develop and operate the pipeline[7] are Dragon LNG Limited, its parent company, Dragon LNG Group Ltd, is owned by three major shareholders: British Gas (BG Energy Holdings ltd); Malaysian company Petronas International Corporation; and Dutch company Petroplus International (who will also be running the terminals)[8].

Although campaigers from the Swansea valley won a minor victory in November 2006 to not permit the use of any explosives in pipeline construction [9], the struggle continues. Currently, protestors have set up a treehouse squat and are fighting on to stop the pipeline[10].

For more information about the campaign, for activist updates and to get involved:

• Indymedia Feature: 'Resistance Builds up Against Welsh Gas Pipeline'
• Earth First! 'Ten Reasons to block LNG in Wales...'
• South Wales Anarchist Newsletter: Gagged

References
[1] Author unknown, 'Milford Haven to Aberdulais Pipeline', National Grid, www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Gas/Pipelines/milfordhaven/fs2/ accessed 22/01/07

[2] Jason Evans, 'Gas pipe protest has “just begun”', South Wales Evening Post, 20/11/06

[3] Clare Davidson, 'National Park fears pipeline plan', BBC Online, 08/10/06, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5386050.stm viewed 22/01/07

[4] Author unknown, 'PIPELINE TO DISASTER', Gagged South Wales Anarchist Newsletter, #15, JAN/FEB 07, Gagged, viewed 22/01/07

[5] Author unknown, 'Stop the pipeline! info flyer + events this week (& second camp started)', no date, www.earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/1980 viewed 23/01/07

[6] Peter Morrell, 'Difference of opinion over gas pipeline', Western Mail, 15/11/06, www.icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/features/tm_headline=
we-know-what-the-pipeline-protesters-are-thinking--but-how-about-everybody-else
-&method;=full&objectid;=18094790&siteid;=50082-name_page.html viewed 24/01/07

[7] Written Evidence from Dragon LNG, 'CONSTRUCTION OF ENERGY IMPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN WALES ', 2 December 2005 www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmwelaf/876/6051702.htm viewed 22/01/07

[8] Information from FAME and ORBIS company databases.

[9] Author unknown, 'Villagers' pipeline blast victory', BBC Online, 22/11/06, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/6170620.stm viewed 22/01/06

[10] Author unknown, 'Pipeline protesters occupy trees', BBC Online, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6288367.stm viewed 23/01/07