Energy Minister Greg Hands defended the government’s coal production record after a senior climate-reducing adviser who called the proposed Cambrian coal mine “undefendable.”
Sir Deven, chair of the Climate Change Commission, called the new coal mining proposed to Cumbria “absolutely undefendable.”
Growth Minister Hands Energy Clean said on Wednesday that it was a “planning decision” and that Britain had no plans to return to coal for power generation.
The decision to grant a plan permit to procure coal for steel production to a new mine near White Haven is scheduled by mid-July following a planned 2021 survey.
Environmentalists warn that demand for coking coal for steel is declining and that coal from the Cumbria mine is rarely used by the British steel industry and will not replace imported Russian coal. I am.
As far as Cambria coal mining is concerned, let’s be absolutely clear, it can never be defended
Independent Advisory When the Climate Change Commission released its annual report on Britain’s progress in greenhouse gas efforts, Sir Deven said that the invasion of Ukraine should make a decision that Britain should protect its energy supply. Said to mean.
He said it was the government’s focus on renewables and nuclear power.
But he says: “As far as the Cambrian coal mine is concerned, let’s be absolutely clear. It’s absolutely undefended.
“First of all, it is not primarily for internal consumption, as 80% of what it produces is exported.
“It does nothing to meet domestic needs in terms of what we are talking about, the cost of energy, or anything else.”
He argued that mine proponents would provide coal to certain industries that are currently being imported from elsewhere, but said that it did not mean reducing the amount of coal produced primarily in the United States.
He warned that it would undermine Britain’s leadership in climate change, saying: This coal mining is not necessary. “
But he said the government should find a way to ensure that the work that might have been produced by the mines is replaced by alternative green work.
Hands told the BBC Radio 4 PM program: “When it comes to the coal we produce, it’s not coal for power generation. We’re not in the same position as Germany and others.”
He said coal “falls to almost zero” as a share of power generation.
He said the coal was used for industrial purposes and the alternative was to import coal.
“It’s not for power generation, but for cooking coal.”
“This is not a return to coal for power generation. It’s really, really important.”
Sir Deven strengthens energy supply by leaving coal-fired power plants open longer than planned this winter, despite promises to end UK coal-fired power plants by October 2024 He said he wasn’t worried about the move. He continued it.
“We are under serious threat because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and in such situations the government must ensure that we keep the lights on.
“So it’s not unacceptable for now, given that we have this (power plant). This isn’t the moment when it actually makes it unusable. Need to use it. I hope there is no. “
And I suggested that investment in renewables and nuclear power would not preclude the fact that coal-fired power plants would be unnecessary.
A friend of Earth’s energy activist Tony Bosworth said: And the coal market is declining before it opens. Saying no to this mine should be an open and shut case for a serious government about the climate crisis.
“Instead, we need to invest in green jobs in West Cambria, develop huge renewable resources, insulate people’s homes and reduce energy costs.”