§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the emissions of(a) CO2 (b) SO2, (c) NOx, (d) fine particulates, (e) black smoke and (f) radiation created by the use of coal as a fuel for electricity generation; and what reductions in these emissions would be achieved by the use of gas as an alternative to coal. [65332]
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§ Mr. MealeThe following table provides estimates of the emissions created by the use of both types of fuel in 1996:
Coal Natural Gas Emissions in tonnes per GWh if electricity generated (1996) CO2 224 116 SO2 8.22 0.003 NOx 2.64 0.33 Fine particulates (PM 10) 0.20 — Black smoke 13.2558 — Radiation 15 to 25 15 to 25 1Radiation measured in MBq per GWh The extent to which gas can realistically be regarded as an alternative to coal-fired generation depends on a range of factors which are discussed in the Government's Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation. There, the Government set out proposals for achieving diverse, secure and sustainable supplies of energy at competitive prices. The Government also proposed that further abatement equipment be installed to reduce certain emissions from coal-fired stations.