Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston

Information (inc. Open Access)

On this page we are sharing documents relating to the proposal, including ones we have obtained through Freedom of Information Requests. We will also put up research reports, further background information and details of the plans as we get them.

CO2 Emissions (Hunterston)

Question Time — Scottish Executive — Finance and Sustainable Growth

Scottish Parliament debates

17 December 2009, 2:15 pm

Debate started by Ross Finnie, LibDem MSP for the West of Scotland:
"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the annual emission of a minimum of 6.88 million tonnes of CO 2 from the proposed coal-fired power station at Hunterston over 10 to 15 years would have on Scotland's climate change targets. (S3O-8938)"

Read the debate

North Ayrshire Council: Minute of 9th September 2009 meeting (item 14), calling for any new coal fired power station to implement Carbon Capture and storage over all of its operations from the onset.

A Framework for the Development of Clean Coal:

Consultation Document

Submitted report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Protective) on the Department of Energy and Climate Change's (DECC) proposals relating to the development of a framework for clean coal.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change is developing a framework for moving forward with clean coal. The current UK-wide consultation is presenting the business case for clean coal technology with a view to reducing the carbon emissions from this and other fossil fuels to avert dangerous climate change. DECC wishes to develop ambitions to become a global leader in promoting the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and is seeking to establish the most cost effective and environmentally sensitive approach towards CCS demonstration programmes.
Appendix 1 to the report identified those aspects of the consultation which are of relevance to North Ayrshire Council and proposed appropriate responses. The consultation provides an opportunity for the Council to state its views on aspects relevant to North Ayrshire as a Local Authority.
Councillor Bell, seconded by Councillor R. Barr, moved that (a) the report and its appendix form the basis of the Council's response to the DECC consultation, subject to the inclusion of a comment to reflect the Council's view that the economic and environmental objectives of the development of clean coal would be best served by conjoining demonstration projects with established coal fired power stations, to ensure that further new coal power stations could be required to install CCS technology on their full generating capacity from the onset and (b) a copy of the Council's response be forwarded to the Scottish Ministers.
As an amendment, Councillor Currie, seconded by Councillor T. Barr, moved that (a) the report and its appendix form the basis of the Council's response to the DECC consultation; and (b) a copy of the Council's response be forwarded to the Scottish Ministers.
On a division, there voted for the amendment 5 and for the motion 22, and the motion was declared carried.
Accordingly, the Council agreed that (a) the report and its appendix form the basis of the Council's response to the DECC consultation, subject to the inclusion of a comment to reflect the Council's view that the economic and environmental objectives of the development of clean coal would be best served by conjoining demonstration projects with established coal fired power stations, to ensure that further new coal power stations could be required to install CCS technology on their full generating capacity from the onset and (b) a copy of the Council's response be forwarded to the Scottish Ministers.

Determining and delivering on Scotland's energy future

The Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee Report

Key relevant points:

85. Before considering how best to meet future demand, the Committee wants to see a radical shift in policy towards energy efficiency and for substantial investments of resources in initiatives which focus on maximising the efficiency of supply and consumption of energy. These steps should be first in the hierarchy of priorities within a Scottish energy policy.

93. Secondly, the Committee wants to see a greater emphasis towards the decentralisation in our electricity system. This means putting in place policies to provide a marked increase in individual, community and municipal-scale production, distribution and use of electricity and heat through, for example, micro-generation, biomass-fired CHP-district heating systems etc.

94. The Committee accepts the need, however, in the short to medium-term for larger, centralised base-load and load-following plant albeit at potentially lower levels of installed capacity if demand falls through active efficiency and conservation measures and greater decentralisation.

95. The Committee agrees that any such base-load and load-following plant should minimise its environmental impact (especially CO2 emissions), be as efficient as possible (i.e. provide for little or no heat waste), provide for affordable electricity prices and provide for significant employment creation opportunities.

135. The Committee calls for the Scottish Government to conclude its consultation on section 36 (of the Electricity Act 1989) consents as soon as possible and to use this opportunity to accelerate the take up of district heating associated with power stations. It should no longer be acceptable for a power station to be built without consideration of how to use its waste heat either through such technologies or in some form of localised heat network.

Read full report

Scottish Government freedom of information

Information released by the Scottish Government on the proposed new power station at Hunterston:

Hunterston

Previously unpublished information relating to the decision to include a clean coal fired power station and transhipment hub at Hunterston in the National Planning Framework 2 (NPF2):

Hunterston FOI

Information released by the Scottish Government on the Correspondence, Meeting Minutes and Notes Proposing New Industry at Hunterston:

Hunterston2

The Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage has brought together the expertise of a number of our leading scientists, engineers and technologists from a range of disciplines and organisations to address the potential for, and challenges associated with, carbon capture and storage in Scotland.

Opportunities for CO2 Storage around Scotland - an integrated strategic research study (pdf; 3.4Mb)

Scottish Ministers must respond to requests from developers for a scoping opinion on outline design proposals. This provides guidance to developers from expert consultees to enable developers to address the issues they have identified and address these in the EIA process.

The Scoping Opinion Document for the proposed power station

Background information about the Planning Process from Planning Democracy

Scottish Climate Change Law (pdf)


> Information Home About CONCH Coal Station Proposal Contact us How to object Donate CONCH Meetings Public Events Press Releases CONCH in the Media Info (Open Access) Links Human Rights	Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston Information (inc. Open Access) On this page we are sharing documents relating to the proposal, including ones we have obtained through Freedom of Information Requests. We will also put up research reports, further background information and details of the plans as we get them. CO2 Emissions (Hunterston) Question Time — Scottish Executive — Finance and Sustainable Growth Scottish Parliament debates 17 December 2009, 2:15 pm Debate started by Ross Finnie, LibDem MSP for the West of Scotland: "To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the annual emission of a minimum of 6.88 million tonnes of CO 2 from the proposed coal-fired power station at Hunterston over 10 to 15 years would have on Scotland's climate change targets. (S3O-8938)" Read the debate North Ayrshire Council: Minute of 9th September 2009 meeting (item 14), calling for any new coal fired power station to implement Carbon Capture and storage over all of its operations from the onset. A Framework for the Development of Clean Coal: Consultation Document Submitted report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Protective) on the Department of Energy and Climate Change's (DECC) proposals relating to the development of a framework for clean coal. The Department of Energy and Climate Change is developing a framework for moving forward with clean coal. The current UK-wide consultation is presenting the business case for clean coal technology with a view to reducing the carbon emissions from this and other fossil fuels to avert dangerous climate change. DECC wishes to develop ambitions to become a global leader in promoting the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and is seeking to establish the most cost effective and environmentally sensitive approach towards CCS demonstration programmes. Appendix 1 to the report identified those aspects of the consultation which are of relevance to North Ayrshire Council and proposed appropriate responses. The consultation provides an opportunity for the Council to state its views on aspects relevant to North Ayrshire as a Local Authority. Councillor Bell, seconded by Councillor R. Barr, moved that (a) the report and its appendix form the basis of the Council's response to the DECC consultation, subject to the inclusion of a comment to reflect the Council's view that the economic and environmental objectives of the development of clean coal would be best served by conjoining demonstration projects with established coal fired power stations, to ensure that further new coal power stations could be required to install CCS technology on their full generating capacity from the onset and (b) a copy of the Council's response be forwarded to the Scottish Ministers. As an amendment, Councillor Currie, seconded by Councillor T. Barr, moved that (a) the report and its appendix form the basis of the Council's response to the DECC consultation; and (b) a copy of the Council's response be forwarded to the Scottish Ministers. On a division, there voted for the amendment 5 and for the motion 22, and the motion was declared carried. Accordingly, the Council agreed that (a) the report and its appendix form the basis of the Council's response to the DECC consultation, subject to the inclusion of a comment to reflect the Council's view that the economic and environmental objectives of the development of clean coal would be best served by conjoining demonstration projects with established coal fired power stations, to ensure that further new coal power stations could be required to install CCS technology on their full generating capacity from the onset and (b) a copy of the Council's response be forwarded to the Scottish Ministers. Determining and delivering on Scotland's energy future The Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee Report Key relevant points: 85. Before considering how best to meet future demand, the Committee wants to see a radical shift in policy towards energy efficiency and for substantial investments of resources in initiatives which focus on maximising the efficiency of supply and consumption of energy. These steps should be first in the hierarchy of priorities within a Scottish energy policy. 93. Secondly, the Committee wants to see a greater emphasis towards the decentralisation in our electricity system. This means putting in place policies to provide a marked increase in individual, community and municipal-scale production, distribution and use of electricity and heat through, for example, micro-generation, biomass-fired CHP-district heating systems etc. 94. The Committee accepts the need, however, in the short to medium-term for larger, centralised base-load and load-following plant albeit at potentially lower levels of installed capacity if demand falls through active efficiency and conservation measures and greater decentralisation. 95. The Committee agrees that any such base-load and load-following plant should minimise its environmental impact (especially CO2 emissions), be as efficient as possible (i.e. provide for little or no heat waste), provide for affordable electricity prices and provide for significant employment creation opportunities. 135. The Committee calls for the Scottish Government to conclude its consultation on section 36 (of the Electricity Act 1989) consents as soon as possible and to use this opportunity to accelerate the take up of district heating associated with power stations. It should no longer be acceptable for a power station to be built without consideration of how to use its waste heat either through such technologies or in some form of localised heat network. Read full report Scottish Government freedom of information Information released by the Scottish Government on the proposed new power station at Hunterston: Hunterston Previously unpublished information relating to the decision to include a clean coal fired power station and transhipment hub at Hunterston in the National Planning Framework 2 (NPF2): Hunterston FOI Information released by the Scottish Government on the Correspondence, Meeting Minutes and Notes Proposing New Industry at Hunterston: Hunterston2 The Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage has brought together the expertise of a number of our leading scientists, engineers and technologists from a range of disciplines and organisations to address the potential for, and challenges associated with, carbon capture and storage in Scotland. Opportunities for CO2 Storage around Scotland - an integrated strategic research study (pdf; 3.4Mb) Scottish Ministers must respond to requests from developers for a scoping opinion on outline design proposals. This provides guidance to developers from expert consultees to enable developers to address the issues they have identified and address these in the EIA process. The Scoping Opinion Document for the proposed power station Background information about the Planning Process from Planning Democracy Scottish Climate Change Law (pdf)	Arnold Schwartzenegger, the actor and Governor of California, welcomed the Scottish Climate Change Law (pdf), and said: “Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. “California has set aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets, but we need the help of the world to tackle the most pressing environmental issue of our time. “Scotland's ambitious and comprehensive targets encourage other nations to step up to the plate as we look toward an inter-national agreement in Copenhagen, and it sends a message to the world that we must act now and must act swiftly.” Arnold Schwarzenegger backs Scottish climate change laws
For more information, contact the CONCH campaign Photo of Arnold Schwartzenegger by Thomas Hawk. Used with thanks under a Creative Commons licence.

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