HC Deb 18 March 2003 vol 401 cc685-6W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent research has been conducted by her Department into the technology for coal mine methane capture; and what representations she has received on it. [102066]

Mr. Wilson

Technology for coal mine methane capture is considered a relatively mature technology, employed and proven at several mine sites in the UK, and therefore no recent research has been conducted into the technology.

Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many coal mine methane capture and generation plants she expects private companies to develop in the next three years. [102067]

Mr. Wilson

The number of coal mine methane capture and generation plants which could be developed by private companies in the next three years is a decision for industry to make in the light of market conditions, and not a decision for government.

Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons coal mine methane capture and electricity generation from disused coalmines receives no form of incentive through Government programmes. [102068]

Mr. Wilson

The Government recognise and value the benefits the coal mine methane industry provides by tapping the methane emissions from disused coal mines and putting them to good use for generation of electricity. We have already demonstrated this support through our securing exemption from the Climate Change Levy for electricity generated from CMM in last year's budget, and this is currently being cleared with the European Commission. In addition, we concluded from our investigations that the environmental benefits of CMM-use can also be rewarded using the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and hence we support the study DEFRA has commissioned to determine a baseline for CMM emissions that could enable it to qualify for this Scheme.