Campaigners are celebrating the news tonight (Thursday) that Exxonmobil has scrapped its controversial plans to run Co2 pipelines across the Isle of Wight – for now at least.
New Forest East MP Sir Julian Lewis confirmed earlier on that the oil giant was abandoning its scheme to run pipelines from Fawley Refinery to a Co2 storage site under the English Channel, potentially via the Isle of Wight.
ExxonMobil’s proposals have been met with widespread resistance from Islanders including a petition opposing the project with over 30,000 signatures, as well as the Isle of Wight Council voting to object strongly to the pipeline and raise its concerns and objections with the government.
Sir Julian has commented:
“This will come as a great relief to numerous constituents in the Forest and on the Island. I commend ExxonMobil both for its willingness to think again and its assurances that its valued and vital contribution to the local economy will continue, despite this reluctant but welcome change of course.”
In a statement, Exxonmobil has partially blamed the Labour Government for its decision to pull its £5billion investment. Their statement leaves the potential for the scheme to be reignited in the future, should the situation change.
A spokesperson has said:
‘’As a result of the continued lack of government policy certainty and timelines, ExxonMobil will not proceed with the appraisal of CO2 storage opportunities in the English Channel and associated transportation at this time.
Article continues below this advertisement ‘’Our major investment decisions are informed by several factors, including the policy, fiscal and market environment.
“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.”
Responding to Exxon’s decision, Green Party Councillor Claire Critchison has said:
“This is a huge relief for the Isle of Wight and New Forest residents. This project would have had major impact on our special designated areas and tourism as well as the safety aspects which were a major concern. I thank all the landowners, residents and interested parties that have been involved in the campaign to stop the pipeline. It has been a Solent wide effort to ensure we do not destroy irreplaceable landscapes in the name of climate change solutions.”
Local party spokesperson Vix Lowthion adds:
“Carbon capture and storage projects are attractive to the big oil companies because they extend the life of high carbon emission oil and gas production. Our public money should not be given to subsidise the oil industry. Instead we should be investing in clean energy projects including green hydrogen generated from water and renewable electricity. I urge the Labour government to shift their investment in CCS to genuine low carbon energy production and bring prices down for us all.”
thats great then ..might of been some jobs from this..