Brussels, 05/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The rapporteur on carbon capture and storage (CCS), Vicky Ford (ECR, UK), points a finger of blame at the EU's “counter-productive obsession” for renewable energy objectives that stifle the development of this alternative technology.
A press release published on 2 September states that Ford, in her capacity as rapporteur for the European Parliament's energy committee on CCS technology, said the targets set by the EU on renewables have been detrimental to investment in alternative technologies. Ford therefore urges the EU to “end its slavish and counter-productive obsession” for those targets.
“The targets may sound good, but in fact they focus effort and investment onto one area. Instead we should be encouraging a broad scope of potential measures to combat atmospheric carbon dioxide”, the British parliamentarian explains. She goes on to bemoan the fact that “this burgeoning technology is being stifled partly because of market distortions created by the EU strict renewables targets”.
Ford's report identifies CCS as the only large-scale and demonstrable technology currently available to take carbon dioxide produced when burning fossil fuels, and which can be used to produce low-carbon electricity.
“Failing to include CCS within a long-term energy strategy will severely hamper national, EU and global efforts to address climate change. If we are serious about wanting reliable, affordable and secure energy sources as well as being able to control and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere then we need to make sure all technologies can be used”, the rapporteur stresses.
“During my research for this report, many people have pointed to the EU renewables target and said how this policy has undermined investment in alternatives such as carbon capture and storage. Therefore I believe we should look at a technology neutral approach when setting energy goals”, Ford said by way of conclusion.
Amendments to the Ford report may be submitted until 25 September. The energy committee's vote is scheduled to take place on 14 October. (EH/transl.jl)