HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 c1059W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has made an assessment of the Joule II project report No. CT92–0031 on the underground disposal of carbon dioxide. [40814]

Mr. Clappison

Officials in my Department have considered the Joule II report and have been in touch directly with the British Geological Survey which participated in the study. Our assessment is that underground disposal of CO, from large sources such as power stations is technically feasible, but costly. The process would add an estimated 40 per cent. or more to the cost of electricity, mainly because of the additional capital expenditure needed at power stations, and the cost of the energy required to extract and dispose of the CO2.