Two Isle of Wight council members are teaming up to launch a campaign group opposing ExxonMobil’s Solent CO2 Pipeline.
Councillors Nick Stuart and Claire Critchinson have said the group will be established with a small committee on September 11 after the next Isle of Wight parish council meetings.
Mid-September public meeting
Following the launch, the representatives for Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet and Chale, Niton and Shorwell will host a mid-September public meeting.
The first gathering will make plans and organise for a wider public meeting for when the campaign hopes to get underway.
Councillor Stuart has urged anyone who can help with the campaign or offer any expertise to get in touch via email ([email protected]).
Stuart: Exxon are “smashing the Solent”
The leader of the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats and former engineer and science teacher said he remains “entirely unconvinced” of carbon capture and storage technology which ExxonMobil’s pipeline is seeking to implement.
He accused ExxonMobil of potentially “smashing the Solent” and the Isle of Wight’s landscape.
Stuart: They see landowners and other Isle of Wight residents as an inconvenience
In reference to ExxonMobil’s ongoing series of public consultations on proposed pipeline corridor routes Councillor Stuart said,
“The polite professional people gave the best answers they could but lack of detail, refusal to provide any information on the CO2 sources or quantities or on alternatives and the clear threat of legal action if they weren’t given access for surveying and the intention to use compulsory purchase powers made it clear in my mind that they see landowners and other Isle of Wight residents as an inconvenience to be sweet talked or steamrollered.”
Critichison: Consultation session “Very obstructive”
Councillor Critichison described the consultation session she attended in Niton on Saturday as “very obstructive”.
The former council chair said she had wanted to approach the pipeline project with an “open mind” but came away from the Niton meeting with a “very negative impression” of ExxonMobil’s behaviour.
She claimed a company representative at the session said ExxonMobil were deciding on the “least worst route” which she added implied “all the options are negative”.
Critichison: An excuse to continue to produce oil based fuel and not push for change
Councillor Critichison said,
“Safety plans were vague, landowner permissions were tricky but they have options and National Trust have assisted them in the past – read into that what you will.
“I wanted further details on the decision making process for the three routes and the financial information about losses to industry in the Solent compared to tourism and farming on the Island, but that is not available or hasn’t actually occurred it seems.
“The representative also stated that this technology is intended as a temporary way to deal with the emissions whilst other non fossil fuel options are being developed and installed.
“I felt the example given of if everyone had an electric car at this moment the power wouldn’t be available was very weak.
“That to me is an excuse to continue to produce oil based fuel and not push for change.”
ExxonMobil have been approached for comment.
Have your say
The public consultation closes at 6pm on Thursday 12th September 2024. You can find out more about the project by visiting the website.
The final consultation meeting on the Island takes place on Tuesday 3rd September between 10.30am and 6.30pm, at Phoenix Knights Centre, Cockleton Lane, Cowes PO31 8QE.
You can provide feedback via the project website. Alternatively, have your say by email: [email protected]
Or send by post to: Solent CO₂ Pipeline Project, 1180 Eskdale Road, Winnersh, Wokingham, RG41 5TU | UK
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
