Clean Coal for Yorkshire and Humber

Regional energy chiefs in Yorkshire and Humber have called on the Government to take more action to support clean coal technology in the region.

In letters sent to Ministers, senior civil servants and MPs including David Miliband and Alistair Darling, the Regional Energy Forum has urged the Government to provide a long term policy framework for coal and coal fired electricity.

The Forum, whose role is to develop and coordinate the region’s policies on energy, also questioned progress on the delivery of the Carbon Abatement Strategy, the DTI’s strategy for reducing the threat to the climate from fossil fuel use.

The letters follow the development of the Yorkshire and Humber Vision for Coal, which sets out the actions needed to enable the region to continue producing nearly 20% of the UK’s electricity, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2050 and explore opportunities for carbon capture and storage.

David Bowe, Chair of the Regional Energy Forum said “The members of the Forum welcome the EU Energy Package and its commitment to sustainable coal. However, we recognise that there are difficulties with funding carbon abatement technologies and believe that a mechanism to stimulate the necessary investments is required.”

“It is crucial that a long term, stable carbon trading system is put in place to ensure that the goals set out in the Carbon Abatement Strategy are met and to take forward the vision set out in the EU Energy Package.”

The Regional Energy Forum, overseen by the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, is made up of experts and representatives with interests in energy issues to develop the region’s policies on energy and to secure investment in energy generation, energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

* For more information please contact Jodie Weston at the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly on 01924 331602; email jodie.weston@yhassembly.gov.uk