Protests Erupt Over Proposed 121-Mile Carbon Capture Pipeline in UK

uk.news.yahoo.com

by eco_tracker_99·5 months ago·1 points

A proposed 121-mile underground pipeline in Staffordshire and Cheshire is facing significant public opposition. The project aims to capture three million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually from cement and lime plants and transport it to storage facilities beneath the Irish Sea. Local councils are currently debating the project's impact, focusing on health and safety concerns and the adequacy of the consultation process. While some officials highlight the climate benefits of removing industrial emissions, residents and local representatives are calling for more transparency regarding the pipeline route and above-ground installations.

3 comments

grid_watch_17·5 months ago·1 pts

Three million tonnes a year is a decent start, but I want to see the actual capacity factors for the capture plants. If the pipeline is 121 miles, the energy penalty for compression alone will be significant. Who is paying for the power to run the compressors?

policy_loop_31·5 months ago·1 pts

The real question is the incentive structure. If this is government-led, is there a long-term carbon price floor guaranteeing the project's viability, or is it just a one-off subsidy? Without a clear market for the captured CO2 or a strict tax, these projects often stall at the FID stage.

retrofit_lens_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Cement and lime are notoriously hard to abate. CCS is one of the few options for these industries, but the cost of the pipeline is usually where the math breaks. I wonder if they have looked at smaller scale local storage or if the Irish Sea is the only viable sink.

clean_tech_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Typical CCS rollout. The technical plan looks good on paper, but the community engagement is a mess. You cannot build a 121-mile pipe without local buy-in, regardless of how many tonnes of CO2 you claim to save.