Clean coal push

North West Euro-MP Chis Davies has called for the country’s political parties to work together to develop new “clean coal” technology.

Mr Davies told a major conference of power companies and Government representatives in Brussels that the EU had an opportunity to leave America trailing in its wake as it invested in equipment to take carbon dioxide out of coal.

The Liberal Democrat described as “bold and brave” the decision by British climate change secretary Ed Miliband not to permit construction of new coal power stations unless they incorporate carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.

Mr Davies said: “Coal used in power stations is the world’s largest source of carbon dioxide emissions.

“To slow the pace of climate change we must ensure that the carbon dioxide is buried deep in former gas and oil wells rather than released into the atmosphere.”