§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department regulates the use of SF6 and its emissions in electricity transmission and distribution in the United Kingdom. [77567]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 28 October 2002]: The Government do not regulate the use of SF6 from the electricity transmission and distribution sectors. Emissions from electrical insulation currently account for less than 20 per cent. of the UK's total emissions of SF6. While there has been a small increase in emissions from this sector since 1995, and they are forecast to continue increasing until 2010, estimated emissions reduction in other sectors are projected to offset this increase and lead to a fall in total SF6 emissions of about 3 per cent. between 1995 and 2020.