My MP's Justification for the Whitehaven Coalmine - Hogwash

 This is my MP's response to my email to her deploring the Whitehaven coalmine. It's utter self-serving hogwash:

Dear Richard ,

Thank you for contacting me about the called-in planning decision for a new metallurgical coal mine in Cumbria. 

 I completely understand that there are strong views on both sides of this case. A public inquiry was held on the proposed development, giving all parties the opportunity to put their case before an independent inspector. 

 The independent planning inspector's report has been considered in depth by the Levelling Up Secretary, who has decided to approve planning permission on the proposed coal mine. His reasons for the decision are set out in full in the following letter, which you may wish to read: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1122625/22-12-07_Whitehaven_-_Decision_Letter_and_IR.pdf 

 First, I would like to stress that the coking coal extracted from the mine will not be used for energy. The Government remains firmly committed to its goal of eliminating unabated coal-power generation by 2024. Coal’s share of the UK’s energy supply has already fallen from 40 per cent in 2012 to 1.8 per cent in 2020. Furthermore, there is a commitment to ensuring the proposed development is net zero over its whole lifetime, which would make it the only net zero metallurgical coking coal mine in the world.

 Having looked over the inspector’s report, I am assured that the mine would not cause any unacceptable impacts on ecology or result in a net loss of biodiversity. The proposed development itself would have an overall neutral effect on climate change, taking into account all the mitigation. 

 The inspector’s report highlights that all the scenarios and forecasts for the future use of coking coal which were put before the inquiry demonstrated a continued demand for coking coal for a number of decades to come. Coking coal also has a vital role to play in the steel industry’s transition to climate neutrality, as noted by international partners such as the European Commission.

 I firmly support the creation of new jobs, and therefore take note of the fact that the mine will directly create 532 jobs. These will be high-skilled well-paid jobs, with many of the skills acquired likely to be inter-transferable to other industries. I know that these contributions to the local and regional economy are important factors for local people. 

 While I appreciate that my position will not please everyone, I do hope that this response has highlighted why I am satisfied that the Secretary of State has made the right decision. 

 Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. 

 Best wishes,

  Angela Richardson MP

Let's look at one or two of her statements:

"First, I would like to stress that the coking coal extracted from the mine will not be used for energy." So what? It will be combusted thereby releasing CO2. That is the central issue here.

"Furthermore, there is a commitment to ensuring the proposed development is net zero over its whole lifetime". Again, this misses the point. The end-to-end result will be CO2 emissions, there's no getting away from that. Making one part of the chain net zero (which is a big ask in the first place) is a specious "benefit".

 "The inspector’s report highlights that all the scenarios and forecasts for the future use of coking coal which were put before the inquiry demonstrated a continued demand for coking coal for a number of decades to come." This is not an argument for Whitehaven. Far better to push the economics towards alternative energy sources for steel production than to facilitate continuation of current processes.

" I firmly support the creation of new jobs, and therefore take note of the fact that the mine will directly create 532 jobs." Perhaps promoting renewables industries in the area might have been a better bet? That would be true "levelling up". The children and grandchildren of those 532 workers will suffer the consequences of climate change for many years. Short-termism wins out again!!