The Environment Agency today recommended that no new coal-fired power stations should be built unless they can capture and store carbon emissions.

In its response to the Government's consultation on carbon capture and storage, the Environment Agency called for faster progress on proving carbon capture and storage technology on a commercial scale.

Lord Chris Smith, Chairman of the Environment Agency, said: "Building a new generation of coal fired power stations without capturing the carbon emissions would lock the UK into using high carbon technology for decades to come - this is not an environmentally sustainable way of generating power given the challenges we face with climate change.

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"Although carbon capture and storage technology has been demonstrated on a small scale, there is now an urgent need for it to be demonstrated on a commercial scale. Any new coal power station to be built should have a consent that requires that it helps demonstrate the technology. Such a consent should be strictly time limited and only renewed if carbon capture and storage is fully deployed."

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing the carbon dioxide emitted from the burning of fossil fuels, transporting it and storing it in a secure geological facility. The Environment Agency believes 'carbon capture readiness', that is ensuring coal-fired power stations have the capability to install CCS technology at a later date should it be commercially viable, is insufficient for the climate change challenge that we face.

Lord Smith added: "Coal-fired power stations will for a considerable time continue to be a significant part of global energy supply. However, we need to ensure that they are part of a solution to the challenges of climate change, not a problem. This is only possible by ensuring carbon capture and storage is quickly proven in line with the Prime Minister's recent commitment to clean coal technology. A funding mechanism will be urgently needed to support this development."

(CD/JM)