WELSH Assembly ministers today voted in favour of devolved energy powers to prevent fracking in Wales.

Assembly ministers debated a Plaid Cymru motion tabled by Elin Jones AM for Ceredigion to devolve energy matters and to do everything within its power to prevent fracking from taking place in Wales until it is proven to be safe for the environment and public health. The motion was approved by 37 votes to 16 at the Senedd.

Llyr Griffiths AM, Plaid Cymru's shadow minister for sustainable communities, energy and food said: "In my view there are number of valid reasons to prevent fracking.

"Despite protest, the UK government are allowing fracking and is also going about actively promoting fracking in Wales and else where.

"Plaid Cymru has been consistent on our demand for a moratorium on fracking and the extraction of other unconventional gas. For environmental arguments and public health argument which are also there and are valid."

He added: "We know that the process uses billion gallons of water now that in itself is not a responsible or sustainable use of one of Wale's most valuable natural resources."

The motion also stated that they regret the provisions within the UK Government's Infrastructure Bill that will allow fracking companies to drill beneath Welsh homes without permission from property owners.

William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat and AM for Mid and West Wales, said: "There are environmental risk of fracking can't be ignored. There as risks from earth tremors or seismic waves – a safe way simply does not exist."

Edwina Hart, assembly minister for economy, science and transport, said that the Welsh Government supported the original motion to prevent fracking but they couldn't support the amendment to issue a new technical advice note setting out the environmental and health standards on fracking operations to planning authorities.

She said: "The UK government are enthusiastic about developing shale gas however we take a more precautionary approach.

"But we need to look very carefully at all the issues including the environment, economic and of course social impact."

She added: "We recognise the concern for the UK government in drilling under people's homes and the response of the consultation on the Infrastructure Bill.

"We've made representations to the UK government that this is wrong for the UK to remove people's rights without thorough consultation with the people of Wales. "

The minister said a study was being carried and she expects the results in the next few months.