Grassroots campaigners on the Isle of Wight, at the centre of the campaign against ExxonMobil’s pipeline, have reacted to the firm’s “unbelievable” decision to drop its plans.
Key figures who have mobilised opinion and support against the proposals over the last 2 months include Little Atherfield resident Christopher Davis, who started a petition gathering over 30,000 signatures, Green Party Isle of Wight East general election candidate Vix Lowthion who helped organise a well-attended public meeting and Paul Larner, a steering group member of the cross-party campaign group, IOW CO2 Pipeline – Call to Action.
Christopher said:
“Victory!!! Today ExxonMobil have scrapped the plans for this horrendous pipeline. Thank you! Everyone who signed this petition made a difference! Pat yourself on the back! Break out the champagne! You are all heroes!”
Paul said:
“Exxon Mobil have confirmed that they are scrapping the proposed CO2 pipeline across the Isle of Wight and New Forest.
“I personally wish to thank our team of researchers, consultants and experts for their time, effort and expertise.
“Our work combined with the efforts of the members and councillors of the Steering Committee, plus every resident of this Island that made the effort and took the time to sign petitions and register their objections, helped to secure this victory.
Article continues below this advertisement “Every resident and business on this Island owe a debt of gratitude to you all.
“This Island’s beauty and future has been secured, and everyone involved should be proud.
“I am sure that Exxon Mobil will publish a number of justifications for their U-turn, however, we know that they totally underestimated the resilience and determination of the population of this/our Island.
“Again, I personally wish to thank you all.”
Vix said:
“Unbelievable news that the pipeline won’t go ahead. I fully believe that they must have received thousands and thousands of contributions in the public consultation.
“Exxon had underestimated the time, expense and reputational cost of this pipeline.
“Good riddance! Now we need to work for clean, renewable energy and protections and enhancements for our wildlife habitats.”
ExxonMobil blamed a “continued lack of government policy certainty and timelines” for its decision to scrap plans.
A spokesperson said:
“Over the past three years, we have made sustained efforts with UK government to secure this certainty and enable the large-scale investment required and will maintain collaboration to address the necessary factors.”
Isle of Wight Councillor Nick Stuart has said:
“I was delighted to be told that Exxon Mobil had recognised the overwhelming opposition of Islanders and withdrawn their proposal for a cross-Island CO2 pipeline.
“This is down to the efforts of you in different groups, across parties and communities. Everyone should be proud that they helped force a massive corporation to back down.
“From the moment I first heard of this scheme and started collecting signatures on a petition at the Chale Show, it was obvious that this scheme was a non-starter. If it went ahead it would immensely damage our landscape and environment, and present massive safety issues.
“It was heartwarming to lead the political efforts to oppose this scheme with the early involvement of Parish Councils and our MP. While residents’ views echoed across the Council and in public with massive numbers building up on the paper and online petitions.
“Driving the formation of a Campaign Steering group and Campaign plan along with Claire Critchinson many local people led the efforts to find out information and highlight the dangerous damaging nonsense of ExxonMobil’s carbon capture folly. Although you will miss my mass protest on Afton Down!
“We must hope that Exxon Mobil will shelve this proposal for good and instead focus their efforts and investment into actually reducing their carbon dioxide output.
Joe Robertson MP, for Isle of Wight East, has said:
“The strong opposition from our Island communities has highlighted the importance of local democracy and protecting our local environment.
“Reducing emissions is important but it should not be at any cost.”
Great decision! Mega-moneyed multinationals should never have the automatic right to ride roughshod over anyone’s habitat.
Stupid idea if you ask me. But no one did ask me.
It is actually not a stupid idea as someone has suggested below. This is why the government has just announced a multi-billion ££ fund to develop it in other regions. What I do agree with is the proposed route of the pipeline straight across the island.