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Posted by Tony Flynn on 24th January 2012 at 02:59 PM
Minister admits Biomass produces more CO2
Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, Gregory Barker has responded to a question in Parliament about the amount of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emitted from biomass plants as opposed to coal burning plants. The Minister reported “Estimates in the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, funded by the Department, indicate that large scale combustion of coal and of wood produce direct carbon dioxide emissions of about 309 and 367 kilogram CO2 per megawatt hour of thermal energy released, respectively”.

Chairman of the Breathe Clean Air group, Pete Kilvert said, “We have been saying for many months that burning wood produces more carbon dioxide than burning coal. If this country continues to burn coal, we need trees to absorb carbon dioxide. If we cut down trees and burn them, then there is nothing to absorb the carbon dioxide produced. But if the Government gets its act together it will focus on proper renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and tidal energy.”

Mr Kilvert added, “it’s a pity that the Minister was tight-lipped on the crucial issue of Particulate Matter from burning biomass. These very fine particles are produced from burning biomass, not coal and could be the country’s new asbestos epidemic. The Government and industry has to recognise how dangerous to health these very fine particles are. Currently they are not recognised, there is no legislation governing them, they are not even measured and there is no need to control them” added Mr Kilvert.

The Breathe Clean Air Group is campaigning to stop the building of the controversial Barton Renewable Energy Plant in Davyhulme, Greater Manchester. It is asking residents of Greater Manchester who care about the health of their children and grandchildren to object to the Environment Agency.

See www.BreatheCleanAirGroup.co.uk for details.


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