GOVERNMENT "ALL OVER THE SHOP" ON CARBON CAPTURE

PETERHEAD THE MOST ADVANCED PROJECT

Mike Weir MP, SNP Westminster Spokesperson on Energy, has accused the Government of being “all over the shop” in its attitude to Carbon Capture and Storage following the decision by BP to pull out of the Peterhead project due to government delays.

Speaking during Trade and Industry Questions Mr Weir challenged Secretary of State Alistair Darling on the time scale for the government competition and how long it would take to reach the stage where Peterhead is now. 

Commenting on the matter Mr Weir said:

“The Energy White Paper trumpets the benefits of CCS, and makes the very valid point that it will be of huge benefit to developing nations who are dependent on coal generation, but that developing nations need to demonstrate the technology works and the costs associated with it.”

“At the same time, it announces a competition that does not start until November of this year and is not projected to be able to demonstrate until between 2011 and 2015.” 

“The Peterhead project was years ahead of anything else in the field. The government action has put back the development of this technology by several years. They are all over the shop.

“It is essential that they look again at the matter and, if they are serious about the environmental benefits of this technology, get behind the most advanced project.”