The Environmental Audit Committee has released a report warning the British government that unless it takes strict action against coal-fired power plants, it will not be able to meet its CO2 emission targets. The report stressed the need to get rid of the power plants that do not run with clean technology.
Coal-fired plants emit twice the amount of CO2 as compared to those that use gas but with gas prices spiraling up, coal is becoming the preferred fuel of choice. Despite their serious environmental impact, UK might see the setting up of 5 or 6 coal plants by 2015.
A probable solution lies in using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology and the report urges the government to set a deadline for closing the coal-burning plants that do not embrace it. However, as of now CCS is expensive and calls for greater fuel usage. There is uncertainty about when it will be become technologically and commercially feasible.
According to the report:
"Unless there is a dramatic technological development, coal should be seen as the last resort, even with the promise of carbon capture and storage (CCS)"
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