Carbon capture technology offers real hope of a new era of ‘clean coal’

Responding to the Government’s announcement today on carbon capture and storage (CCS), Lord Chris Smith, Chairman of the Environment Agency, said:

“The Environment Agency believes that carbon capture for coal power is a key element of a clean energy policy – which includes improved energy efficiency, safe nuclear power and a big increase in renewable energy generation.

“Today’s announcement is a further step along the road to implementing carbon capture and storage in the UK. We believe that the creation of a new office within the Department for Energy and Climate Change shows the Government’s commitment to the development and delivery of CCS.
 

“Coal power is currently one of the highest carbon emitting forms of electricity generation – producing over 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually in the UK.  But CCS, which involves capturing the carbon dioxide emitted from the burning of fossil fuels and storing it deep underground, has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions from coal by up to 90 per cent.

“The Environment Agency has previously warned that emissions from coal power stations must be dramatically reduced if the UK is to meet its 2050 target of at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

“We need to reduce dramatically the emissions from coal power stations and carbon capture technology offers real hope of a new era of ‘clean coal’. It is an essential element of any sensible energy policy for the next 20 years.

“CCS has the potential to change the face of power generation and enable the UK to sell this technology to the rest of the world.

“The UK government’s ‘Framework for Clean Coal’ proposed an increased role for the Environment Agency in regulating CCS and reporting to the Government on the progress of its implementation. We look forward to clarifying our role and helping to make CCS happen.”