Kent Coal Station Must Be Low Carbon - Nick Clegg

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has called on the Government to refuse permission for the new Kingsnorth coal fired power station in Kent, saying that the go ahead should be refused unless carbon capture and storage are included in the station "from day one".

Cabinet minister John Hutton is currently considering an application from energy company E.ON to build the UK's first new coal-fired power station for 24 years, on the site of an existing power station at Kingsnorth, near Rochester, Kent. Greenpeace says documents it has obtained show the government gave in to pressure not to oblige E.ON to include carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in the plans.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said:

"At a time when the Government should be working to reduce the UK's emissions, ministers seem determined to allow a huge new polluting power station. What planet is John Hutton living on?

"Without carbon capture and storage, clean coal is a total myth. This monstrosity will only emit 20% less than previous coal fired stations, and a massive 75% more than a gas powered plant.

"Kingsnorth should not be given the go ahead unless carbon capture and storage is part of it from day one.

"If ministers really want to take the lead on tackling climate change they must concentrate on promoting renewable power, increasing energy efficiency, and dramatically accelerating the development of carbon capture and storage."