Government’s carbon capture push “exposes incoherence of its energy policy”

The government was today criticised by environmentalists over its latest plans for more coal power stations.

Last night, the Government announced the publication of a consultation on carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Robin Oakley, the head of Greenpeace's climate and energy campaign, said:

"Coal burning is the single greatest threat to our climate, and this announcement does nothing to change that. It's nothing more than a smokescreen.

"This short-sighted push to approve a new fleet of coal plants is totally at odds with the encouraging renewable energy package released last week, and it exposes the incoherence of the Government's approach to energy policy.

"If the Government was serious about tackling climate change caused by coal, it should set tough limits on emissions from power stations similar to those already in place in California and supported by both the Tories and the Lib Dems."

Greenpeace press office: 020 7865 8255