Representation by Susan Francis
- Date submitted
- 29 August 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish to object to Drax's application to add carbon capture technology to two of its wood-burning units. I am objecting because I believe the proposal is not a sustainable development as defined in the National Planning Policy Framework [Redacted] , since it is not compatible with increasing productivity, supporting communities' health, protecting our natural environment or improving biodiversity. According to Drax's planning document, carbon capture will reduce the net efficiency of the biomass boilers to just 28.49% because 28% of the energy generated by each unit will be needed to capture and compress CO2. This is a reduction in productivity which I don't believe is outweighed by the carbon capture. There is also a potential harm to human health from the amine chemicals which Drax is planning to use to separate the CO2 from the other flue gases. These amines can form other compounds when they are emitted, including nitrosamines and nitramines which are possible carcinogens [Redacted]. Yorkshire and Humberside already have high levels of air pollution [Redacted], and there is a lack of research into the impacts of these chemicals on public health. Moreover, Drax's Ecology Report [Redacted] for the project states that this development will lead to the degradation and destruction of a number of internationally, nationally and locally important habitats where ecological surveys found rare and protected species, including orchids, water voles, otters, Great Crested Newts and many species of birds. Above all, I strongly disagree with the government's classing energy from burning trees as 'low-carbon' and arguing that it can help 'tackle climate change'; so do hundreds of scientists [Redacted] and environmental NGOs around the world [Redacted] who highlight that burning wood is as bad for the climate as fossil fuels and that Drax's claims that BECCS can achieve "negative emissions" are based on the false assumption that logging, transporting and burning trees in power stations can be "carbon neutral" [Redacted]. We have carbon-neutral technologies and this isn't what they look like. I urge you to take note of these concerns and refuse permission for Drax’s BECCS application.