Jobs before the health of the planet again. The same people who claim to care about the planet's health, and of course, ultimately our own, are the very ones who will give plannning permission for this dirtiest of fuels to be extracted, and the subsequent carbon locked up for millions of years to be released into an already over-polluted atmosphere.

There will be those who will rejoice at this, shouting the old mantra of jobs, jobs, jobs, but the reality is that coal is filthy, and is way beyond its sell-by date.

There is only one major answer to our energy needs, and that is nuclear. I know all the arguments about radiation and the scaremongering that goes on with regards to cancers and other diseases, but in reality, nuclear has been the cause of far less deaths than fossil fuels, and it continues to become safer still as technology advances.

As for wind energy; as we know to our cost, permission has already been granted for a massive wind farm to be erected around the mountains here, but once again, this is profit motivated and not based on firm scientific assessment, because wind farms are inefficient and unreliable, and cost far more in the end. How do we get energy out of them when the temperature is 20 degrees below zero and there's no wind?

It's likely that politicians in their ignorance or vested interests, or both, have been bamboozeld by energy companies into granting permission for these farms, but the reality is that they will cost us a lot more than nuclear power stations in the end. Meanwhile, the top honchos in the wind energy companies will walk away laughing all the way to the bank.

We can further augment nuclear by adding hydro-electric and solar, as well as limited wind power, but the main source has to be nuclear, like it or not. Coal has had its day. It should be left in the ground as it's now too risky to burn it. We've had a good run with it, but its days are over, and don't let anyone tell you that clean coal technology will remove the harmful CO2 that causes the problems, because clean coal technology is a pipe dream and far off into the future, even if it would be feasible anyway.

No, this exercise is profit motivated only, and has nothing to do with solving Britain's energy needs. It's a last ditch effort to extract the last crumbs before the world wakes up to the fact that fossil fuels will be our final undoing.

If this coal is going to Aberthaw then why no? They buy in Coal from Russia etc and South Africa so if we have the stuff here and it means jobs why not? As long as the community also get something out of it like they have done with Tower

Jobs are needed right now but not at any cost I know, but Aberthaw will burn coal whether Welsh Coal or from abroad....

Plans for new opencast mine go on show to give residents chance to have their say

A PLANNING application is set to be submitted to extract up to 1.2 million tonnes of coal from a new opencast coal mine.

Celtic Energy hopes to mine at Bryn Defaid, on the hillside between the Baverstocks junction and Bryn Pica landfill, Llwydcoed.

Such a permission would enable recovery of coal from the area followed by the comprehensive restoration of the entire site.

Following the first phase of consultation held in July, Celtic Energy’s proposals for the site have developed further and information about the final proposals for the site is now available.

To ensure Cynon Valley residents have an opportunity to find out more about the updated proposals, Celtic Energy is inviting those living near the site to a series of public exhibitions, starting on October 30.

Information about the proposals, and the changes that have been made, will be available to view at the exhibitions. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer any questions.

Members of the public are also being asked to give their feedback on the proposals, which will be taken into consideration by Celtic Energy before the final planning application is submitted to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council later this year.

Rob Thompson, Celtic Energy’s operations director, said: “We were pleased that so many residents took the time to attend our exhibitions in July and find out more about our proposals.

“Following the feedback we received from residents and other consultees during our first phase of consultation, our plans have developed and we are keen to ensure that local people have an opportunity to view the final proposals before the planning application is submitted.

“Public consultation is an important part of the planning process and we are holding these public exhibitions to give people an opportunity to talk directly to us about our proposals.

“Where possible, we will take on board any constructive comments they might have.”

The company say the proposed site will provide a further 50 jobs to residents in Llwydcoed, Penywaun, Hirwaun and Aberdare – as well as Merthyr Tydfil.

The project will also help to maintain the 65 jobs at the nearby Onllwyn Washery.

The public exhibitions will take place at:

n Tuesday, October 30, 3pm to 8pm at Llwydcoed Community Centre, Merthyr Road, Llwydcoed.

n Wednesday, November 7, 4pm to 8pm at Heolgerrig Community School, Heolgerrig Road, Merthyr Tydfil.

Following the exhibitions, information will be displayed in libraries for people to view the proposals.

November 12 to 17 – Hirwaun Library, High Street, Hirwaun.

November 19 to 24 – Aberdare Library, Green Street, Aberdare.

Contact Celtic Energy on freephone 0845 136 0105 or email enquiries@coal.com Following the exhibitions, all materials will be available to view at www.coal.com.

by Mark Smith, Cynon Valley Leader
Oct 25 2012

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/cynon-valley/2012/10/...