Members disappointed at E.ON green jobs decision

(25/10/10) UNISON members working for power company E.ON have expressed their disappointment that the company has abandoned plans to build a new power station using revolutionary carbon capture and storage technology at Kingsnorth in Kent.The union believes that one of the main reasons for the decision is the government's failure to provide long-term certainty around funding for development of the technology. E.ON has said that depressed energy prices make the plant uneconomical.The union has long backed carbon capture and storage as a key technology in addressing the challenges of climate change and energy security.UNISON also believes that this technology, which is still to be tested on a commercial scale, could lead to a green jobs bonanza and establish the UK as a world leader in an industry of the future.Although the government committed to one plant in the spending review, the previous government had committed to four.UNISON head of utilities Steve Bloomfield said: "It's obviously disappointing that E.ON have pulled the plug on this development. "The commitment to develop one plant in the spending review is welcome, but the government needs to raise its game significantly on this issue if we are to keep the lights on and ensure we are generating the green and decent jobs of the future in the UK."