New Forest ‘mainland’ route preferred for ExxonMobil’s Solent CO2 Pipeline Project from Fawley refinery, Cllr Allan Glass claims
OIL giant ExxonMobil prefers the 20-mile route cutting across the Forest for its proposed pipeline rather than those across the Isle of Wight, a councillor has claimed.
Cllr Allan Glass made the claim at a meeting discussing New Forest District Council’s official response to a consultation on the carbon capture plans.
As reported in the A&T, ExxonMobil unveiled three proposed routes for the Solent CO2 Pipeline Project, pumping Fawley refinery’s captured carbon dioxide under the seabed off the Isle of Wight.
The 20-mile ‘mainland’ route cuts through the national park, while the others are 16 and 15 miles long respectively, running south from Fawley under the seabed and across the island.
A company spokesperson had previously said an island route was preferred.
Cllr Glass, who represents Blackfield, said Fawley Parish Council had “insisted” on a meeting with representatives from ExxonMobil.
He said: “They would not listen, they were totally uncooperative. What they did let us know was that the Isle of Wight is not an option anymore, because the pipeline would be disturbed by the current, affected by dredging; there are so many reasons.
“This [preferred option] now seems to go across open Forest, an area of natural beauty.
“I think we’ve got an awfully long way to go before we even consider the feasibility of this project, let alone agree to it.”
He said it would be “equally as easy” to export the gas by ship, adding: “Why do we have to have what is going to be something equivalent to a motorway cutting through the New Forest?
“I think the whole scheme needs to be properly presented to the NFDC so we can find out what is going on.”
A report to members of the place and sustainability overview and scrutiny panel last week said the council was not in a position to recommend a preferred route due to the “limited amount of engagement and information available to date”.
Cllr Stephanie Osborne agreed with Cllr Glass: “We need to protect the New Forest at all costs. I don’t think anyone is very happy about the action they think they are going to take.”
Cllr Adam Parker added he had heard from numerous residents who were “deeply concerned” about the plans.
“ExxonMobil is proposing inflicting a fairly large environmental impact on the New Forest and beyond, and all so far without demonstrating any tangible positives, despite questioning along these lines,” he said.
“Far from being a positive thing for emissions reductions, the proposed pipeline will lead to a significant emissions increase.”
Cllr Peter Armstrong said it was “regrettable” that ExxonMobil had not directly engaged with the council’s officers, adding: “I am deeply troubled about this.”
He called the plans a “costly and risky endeavour” adding: “We need to protect the oceans from absorbing any more of humanity’s waste, and safeguard communities, the environment and the global climate, and I’m not sure this is the way forward.”
Members agreed to send a response to the consultation highlighting concerns over the need for the project, the rationale for the selection of corridors, and consideration of alternative route corridors – including those already discounted by ExxonMobil.
The council also wants more information on air quality, emissions, noise and vibration disturbance – including that associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the pipeline, along with more in-depth details on biodiversity and ecology impacts.
Responding to the claims, an ExxonMobil spokesperson told the A&T it had not yet confirmed a route for the project.
They added: “Currently, two corridors on the Isle of Wight are favoured, but the mainland corridor is still being considered. The Lepe corridor, south of Fawley, is included in all three options. Our consultation, open until September 30th, aims to gather feedback to help us decide and we will share updates once a route is selected.”
