FINNIE WANTS PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON HUNTERSTON COAL PLANT

Written by Ross Finnie on Fri 24th Apr 2009

FINNIE WANTS PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON HUNTERSTON COAL PLANT

West of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Ross Finnie wants a Parliamentary Debate on the proposed Multi-fuelled Power Station at Hunterston.

The proposed Power Station will be Multi-fuelled, predominately coal and potentially up to 15% biomass. The plant would be build Carbon Capture ready, which means that while the facility would be designed to incorporate Carbon Capture and Storage, it would not be installed until the technology had been shown to be technically and commercially viable.

Commenting Mr Finnie said:

"I am not opposed, in principle, to a new coal fired station incorporating carbon capture but I think there needs to be a very full public debate on whether a new coal fired station without Carbon Capture should be approved. To raise the public profile of this important decision I have submitted a motion in the Scottish Parliament hoping to secure a Parliamentary debate on the proposed Multi-fuelled Power Station at Hunterston.

"This decision raises important environmental considerations at both a local and national level and before the Scottish Government comes to any view on the matter it must be informed by public and parliamentary debate on a range of issues but in particular whether allowing a new coal fired Power Station without Carbon Capture and Storage to commence operations is environmentally acceptable. .

"I hope my fellow MSP's agree with the need for a Parliamentary debate on this very important issue."

Ends

Notes to Editors Text of motion included below

S3M-03930 Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): Proposed Multi-fuel Power Station at Hunterston- That the Parliament notes the application by Ayrshire Power Limited to the Scottish Government for permission, under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and deemed consent under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, to construct a multi-fuel power station at Hunterston Port, Fairlie in North Ayrshire; further notes that it is proposed that the facility would be fuelled by coal and potentially up to 15% biomass to produce up to 1,600MW of electricity per annum and would be carbon capture ready, which means that, while the facility would be designed to incorporate carbon capture and storage, it would not be installed until the technology had been shown to be technically and commercially viable, and considers that it would be beneficial if the power station operated carbon capture and storage from the outset or was able to meet an equivalent emissions performance standard by other means.

Lodged on Monday, April 20, 2009; Current