Controversial plans for a £160 million coking coal mine off the coast of Whitehaven, expected to be approved next month, have been branded indefensible by the chairman of the Climate Change Committee.
The annual report on the UK’s progress against climate change targets has been published this week.
Lord Deben, chairman of the committee, a statutory independent body which is the UK’s independent adviser on climate change, was speaking at its launch when he said: “As far as the coal mine in Cumbria is concerned, let’s be absolutely clear, it is absolutely indefensible.”
Lord Deben claimed that 80 per cent of the metallurgical coal extracted will be exported “so it is not something largely for internal consumption.”
The coal will be used in the production of steel and the arguments from supporters of the proposal at the high profile public inquiry was that the mine would reduce emissions long-term because it would reduce exports from foreign countries.
Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie, an ardent supporter of the mine, has written to Government urging them to approve the mine immediately, to cut the nation’s reliance on Russia for coal while the war in Ukraine drives up the cost of energy.
But Lord Deben said that the mine would not be a benefit to the UK’s domestic needs.
It comes after Chris McDonald, chief executive of the Materials Processing Institute said the mine will have just one UK customer, due to the industry’s efforts to find renewable methods.
However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared to indicate that the mine will be approved during PMQs in June.
Mr Johnson said “I think we can all be proud of the way we have reduced CO2 emissions in this country.
“But plainly it makes no sense to be importing coal, particularly for metallurgical purposes, when we have our own domestic resources.”
Mr Starkie has said that it is the “clearest indicator yet” that the mine will be approved.
The decision rests with Secretary of State for Levelling-Up, Michael Gove after the decision on the mine was called in by Robert Jenrick, his predecessor.
The call-in triggered a public inquiry which heard evidence from both sides. Chief planning inspector Stephen Normington has recently sent his findings to Mr Gove who is due to make a decision by July 7.
