Exxon Mobil CO2 pipeline is 'greenwashing', politicians say

In July, plans were unveiled for a massive construction project which could see the Fawley oil refinery linked to a huge CO2 dump under the English Channel via a pipe as long as 33km.

Three options have been put forward: one through the New Forest and two across the Isle of Wight, with the public having an opportunity to have their say.

The options which have been put forward (Image: ExxonMobil) Fears over the 'destruction' of landscape were raised by Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley and Cllr Nick Stuart.

Exxon Mobil insists carbon capture storage technology (CCS) is a ‘necessity not an option’ and has said it will carefully design the pipeline to 'avoid or reduce environmental impacts.'

A spokesperson said: "This initiative aims to safely transport millions of tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing five million cars from the road each year."

Read more: ExxonMobil's plans for huge pipe to English Channel CO2 dump

Two of three options put forward last month (July) involve the pipeline passing under the Island.

One option would see it run a north-south route, while the other would follow a north-west route across the Solent, from near Lepe.

West MP Richard Quigley and Cllr Stuart said ExxonMobil are treating it as 'a done deal', with the feedback form only allowing people to choose one of the three 'predetermined' routes.

Both said plans appear to be an attempt at 'greenwashing' - a term used when an organisation tries to persuade the public that their goals are environmentally friendly.

Here's how to have your say about ExxonMobil's gas pipeline plans

To have your say on gas pipeline plans, click HERE.

You can also attend a series of consultations:

• Wednesday 14th August, 10.30am - 5pm, Boldre War Memorial Hall, Pilley Street, Lymington, SO41 5QG

• Friday 16th August, 10.30am to 6.30pm, Macdonald Elmers Court Hotel & Resort, South Baddesley Road, Lymington, SO41 5ZB

• Friday 30th August, 10.30am to 6.30pm, The Bridge Community Centre, The Bridge, 9 Sea Road, Milford on Sea, Lymington, SO41 OPH

• Wednesday 4th September, 10.30am to 4.30pm, Calshot Activity Centre, Calshot Road, Calshot, Southampton, SO4 51BR

• Thursday 5th September, 10.30am to 6.30pm, Jubilee Hall, The Square, Fawley, Southampton, SO45 1DF

The MP, whose constituency the pipeline could run under, said: "None of the options are appropriate, not just because of the destruction to the landscape and country side, but the technology itself isn't proven.

"This is a project designed to solve a problem for Exxon Mobil and not the planet."

Meanwhile, Cllr Nick Stuart, who represents Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet - areas earmarked for one of the pipeline's potential routes - said: "The pipeline would cause three years of major construction, damaging the Island's seabed ecologies, national landscapes, heritage coast, ancient woodlands, and various protected nature sites.

"This is particularly concerning given the Isle of Wight's UNESCO Biosphere designation."

In its brochure advertising plans, Exonn Mobil said once the pipeline has been installed, it would reinstate land to its former state where possible and would avoid ancient woodland.

A spokesperson said: "Examples of mitigation could be retaining notable trees to reduce impacts to the visual landscape, installing temporary bales of hay to retain hedgerow connectivity for wildlife, and installing noise barriers to reduce temporary construction impacts."

The pipeline would be between 24km and 33km long and would occupy part of a 50m-wide corridor, depending on the route chosen. 

As the scheme is deemed a national infrastructure project, it only requires government say and does not need council approval.