The European Commission has started formal proceedings against the UK government over the safety assessment of tankers berthing at the two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals at Milford Haven in west Wales.
At issue is whether the UK complied fully with the EU’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) rules when the South Hook and Dragon LNG terminals were granted planning permission in 2004 and 2009, respectively. South Hook is Europe’s largest regasification terminal.
Local campaigners have questioned whether a full assessment was ever carried out and complained that no safety assessment has ever been made public.
The EC said the case concerned “failure to ensure full compliance with the EIA directive”. It added: “The directive would normally require such risks to be assessed and information made publicly available.” The government has two months to make an initial response.
A spokeswoman for the Welsh Government said: “As the case involves two local planning authorities in Wales, we will assist the UK government in responding to the concerns raised.”
Gordon Main of local campaign group Safe Haven said the development was a “major step forward” for its nine-year campaign on the issue.
The Milford Haven Port Authority said it had commissioned and produced “extensive risk assessments in full compliance with all UK safety standards. Consequently, LNG vessels are regularly and safely handled at the port”.
This article first appeared in Utility Week’s print edition of 4 May 2012.
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