§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to decide whether to grant a consent under section 12 of the Energy Act 1976 for the discharge of methane into the atmosphere from the St. Fergus gas terminal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonBoth operators of the St. Fergus gas terminal currently hold valid venting consents for normal operations. No further venting consents are currently needed because gas which must be disposed of as a result of the fitting of emergency shut-down valves and the depressurisation of the main gas line will be flared.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is his policy in respect of the granting of consents under section 12 of the Energy Act 1976 for discharges of methane into the atmosphere; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what environmental factors he takes into consideration before granting consents under section 12 of the Energy Act 1976 for discharge of methane into the atmosphere; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Government are well aware of the adverse environmental impact of methane as a greenhouse gas. However, provision has to be made for venting for safety reasons. My Department scrutinises venting consent applications carefully and no consents are issued until I am satisfied that they are for the minimum amounts necessary for safe and economic operation.