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Protesters vow to fight proposals for work off coast
Seaham residents protesting against plans for underground coal gasification off the East Durham coast. Below, MP Grahame Morris. and health and safety checks.
Cluff ’ s licence lasts for five years.
The process involves driving boreholes below the seabed from land, injecting steam and oxygen to oxidise coal and surrounding rock and turn it into a mixture of gases.
It does not involve fracking or injecting chemicals into rocks.
No one was available at Cluff to comment on its plans, but Easington MP Grahame Morris has held discussions with its officials and he believes it has no plans to press on with work soon as it is concentrating on other projects. A protest group called Families, Friends, Fight Against Gasification ( Fag) has launched an umbrella organisation to co- ordinate action teams set up in Easington, Seaham and Murton – as well as Sunderland, Cumbria and Cleveland – to oppose gasification plans.
A spokesman for the Seaham group said: “There is strong public opposition to this, and Fag is campaigning against this potentially catastrophic activity.”
The group has invited MPs, representatives of all political parties and councillors to the meeting.
It plans to hold a presentation on how gasification works and explain the impact it could have on the community, health and environment, as well as its possible risks.
Mr Morris said: “A number of conditional licences have been granted across the country.
“However, I understand that it is unlikely that any underground coal gasification will take place on the East Durham coastline in the immediate future, as there are more viable alternative sites elsewhere in the UK, particularly those areas with virgin coal seams and in close proximity to processing facilities such as in the Firth of Forth, near to the Grangemouth refinery.
“My understanding is that it will take some time to develop any plans for underground coal gasification in East Durham.
“I am keen to examine the effects of the process in those areas of the country where operations will commence first.
“I believe this will allow our communities to make an informed choice as to whether they would want to support underground coal gasification, given the potential for jobs, and assess the benefits in terms of employment to the local economy, as well as weighing up any possible environmental impact.”
The meeting will be held at Dawdon Miners’ Welfare Hall on Tuesday at 6.30pm.
Sunderland Echo 19 Nov 2014 Page 27
SEAHAM STAR