Written question asked by Michael Meacher (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 October 1996. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 October 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: If he has made an assessment of the JOULE II Project Report No. CT92-0031 on the underground disposal of carbon dioxide.

Answer: Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has made an assessment of the Joule II project report No. CT92-0031 on the underground disposal of carbon dioxide. [40814] Mr. Clappison: Officials in my Department have considered the Joule II report and have been in touch directly with the British Geological Survey which participated in the study. Our assessment is that underground disposal of CO2 from large sources such as power stations is technically feasible, but costly. The process would add an estimated 40 per cent. or more to the cost of electricity, mainly because of the additional capital expenditure needed at power stations, and the cost of the energy required to extract and dispose of the CO2.

Secondary information