I have to take issue with Algy Cluff ("Time to harness energy potential in our offshore deep coal reserves", Agenda, The Herald, September 22) on a number of points.
He ignores the majority view that increasing the use of fossil fuels is already resulting in climate instability and he has not demonstrated any actual plans for carbon capture to offset this.
He describes Central Scotland as being "heavily industrialised" and where "issues associated with traffic and noise become an irrelevance". On the contrary, it is a well populated area with many small and large towns and villages and farmland in between. It is still recovering from past industrialisation. Noise and heavy traffic are certainly not irrelevant.
It is not correct, either, to say that the release of carbon dioxide is the only concern of opponents. Of equal significance is the failure to demonstrate that all the products of gasification can be safely and completely brought to the surface for treatment. The industry criteria for Underground Coal Gasification state that the strata in the area should be substantially free of faults, dislocations and former mine workings and that there should be no possibility of contact with valued aquifers (permeable rock). It has not been demonstrated that these criteria have been met.
The (Biggar Economics) Report referred to deals only with the possible economic impact in terms of jobs and value of output. It does not seem to have considered the costs of de-commissioning, flushing toxins out of the cavities once gasification is finished, ensuring that no toxic or carcinogenic residues remain or can enter the environment. Nor is there any mention of compensation for subsidence, reduction in property values or re-location of communities should something go badly wrong. It takes no account of social and environmental impacts.
If you think I am sceptical, it's because in my life I have seen far too many instances of industrial operations going wrong with terrible consequences for the people who put their trust in big business but negligible penalties for those responsible.
Julian Smith,
3 Warrington Court,
Limekilns, Fife.
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