1966_and_all_that
Well-known member
Answer: when it's the stupid, unnecessary and environmentally irresponsible new coal mine, planned for Cumbria. Yes, it is a white elephant of a desperate attempt by the Tory Government to hold onto votes in the North (Whitehaven), whilst trying to placate its backbenchers who are desperate to block the reintroduction of on-shore windfarm developments.
It makes NO rational sense. The mine will cost £165m, create 500 new jobs and produce an estimated 2.8m tonnes of coking coal a year for steel-making. However two UK steel companies have already said they will not need its coal. There is an abundance on the open market. In any case, UK steel production is required to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035. Most leading European steel-makers are adopting green production methods and the British steel industry needs green investment in electric arc furnaces and hydrogen if it is to protect jobs and make the UK competitive. Those 500 jobs probably won't materialise.
Add to that, the unavoidability of a General Election within two years in which Labour, the Lib Dems, the Greens and the SNP all oppose the move back to coal and this project begins to look dead before a spade has even touched the Earth. As one Shadow minister said it's akin to opening a Betamax factory.
It makes NO rational sense. The mine will cost £165m, create 500 new jobs and produce an estimated 2.8m tonnes of coking coal a year for steel-making. However two UK steel companies have already said they will not need its coal. There is an abundance on the open market. In any case, UK steel production is required to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035. Most leading European steel-makers are adopting green production methods and the British steel industry needs green investment in electric arc furnaces and hydrogen if it is to protect jobs and make the UK competitive. Those 500 jobs probably won't materialise.
Add to that, the unavoidability of a General Election within two years in which Labour, the Lib Dems, the Greens and the SNP all oppose the move back to coal and this project begins to look dead before a spade has even touched the Earth. As one Shadow minister said it's akin to opening a Betamax factory.