Carbon Capture and Storage

It was announced recently that Peterhead Power Station, along with a project in Grangemouth, are the two Scottish projects to have made it through to the shortlist of four Carbon Capture and Storage initiatives (CCS) which will now be considered for financial support in the new year.

Carbon Capture and storage technologies represent a vital step in reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change by physically restricting harmful emissions from conventional power stations and storing them underground. The Peterhead project would see carbon capture and storage technology fitted to the existing facility, reducing emissions into the atmosphere.

Additionally, the Peterhead Power Station project has been included as a reserve application for €1.5 billion of European funding through the NER300 scheme, while the Sound of Islay Tidal project has full candidate status.

I firmly believe that Peterhead has an extremely strong case to make and I would certainly hope that the UK Government will fully recognise that when it makes its decisions in 2013.

Naturally we, in the north-east hope that the Peterhead project is ultimately successful in its applications, and can reap the benefits of jobs and investment in the local area as a result. However, the fact that there are three major projects in Scotland competing for funding, shows the potential our country has to implement the technology successfully.

Scotland is fortunate to have some of Europe’s largest carbon storage capabilities, as well as generations of expertise in renewable energy and off-shore engineering which combine to make us ideally placed to successfully implement carbon capture technology as part of Scotland’s broad energy portfolio and ambitious environmental targets.

Sadly, Westminster has a sorry track record when it comes to supporting innovative carbon capture projects. In the past jobs and investment have been allowed to slip away at Peterhead and Longannet as dithering and indecision led to previous backers pulling out in 2007.

People in Peterhead remember all too well that they have been let down before by dithering at Westminster, so what is most important is that history is not allowed to repeat itself. A swift decision, hopefully in favour of these initiatives will be good news for the local area and the environment alike.

Ask Your Pharmacist

From 5th – 12th November I and my parliamentary colleagues will be supporting Ask Your Pharmacist public awareness week. The National Pharmacy Association is hoping to draw attention to the pharmacy-based healthcare services available to everyone, and to encourage men, in particular, to take a more active interest in their healthcare.

With the help of an accessible pharmacy team in your local area, men and women can do more to stay well. By talking face-to-face with a pharmacist, we could all learn more about using our medicines more safely and effectively, and by consulting your local pharmacist about your health and well-being in general, many of us could be better informed about using the NHS services which are available.

The success of last year’s Ask Your Pharmacist week saw an increase in people’s awareness of the availability of the local pharmacy’s services from 25% to 73%. Most pharmacies now have private consultation areas and often do not require appointments, and I certainly hope people will continue to recognise the important role local pharmacies play in the healthcare chain, often alleviating the need to visit the GP. To find out more about Ask Your Pharmacist Week, visit www.npa.co.uk or talk to your local pharmacist!