Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) Still A UK Threat
Despite underground coal gasifications dismal track record of failed tests and pollution incidents, Councillors in Warwickshire have still approved the technology for inclusion in the Countys minerals plan.
This news comes within a month of Queenslands department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy confirming that the state will spend almost $31 million over the next four years to clean up land polluted by Linc Energys coal gasification plant.
The Underground Coal Gasification process is highly experimental (click to enlarge).
Linc Energys test site at Chinchilla is the most recent UCG project to fail resulting in 320 square km of contamination of agricultural land. The company was found guilty and fined but so far the directors have been able to walk away and avoid personal consequences.
The inclusion of UCG in the Warwickshire minerals plan and a poorly publicised public consultation leave the door open for this dangerous experimental technology to rear it’s ugly head again in the UK.
If you live in an area threatened by UCG you can download and circulate this Factsheet. If you are interested in taking action in your area see the Get Involved page and contact us if you need any further assistance.
