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CO2 pipeline 'could devastate coast' residents told

Vix Lowthion A large room with pale wooden floorboards and a high ceiling is filled with people sat on chairs attending the meeting, they are all facing away from the camera looking at a projector board Vix Lowthion
More than 150 people attended a Green Party meeting campaigning against the ExxonMobil CO2 pipeline project

More than 150 residents have gathered to oppose plans for a planned carbon dioxide pipeline on the Isle of Wight.

Exxon Mobil is seeking approval for the Solent CO2 Pipeline Project, which would run from its Fawley oil refinery near Southampton to a CO2 storage site under the English Channel.

Islanders filled the Riverside Leisure Centre in Newport on Monday in support of the Green Party's Say No to the CO2 Pipeline campaign.

Michael Foley, from ExxonMobil, previously said the firm was "here to listen and understand" and encouraged everyone to take part in the consultation.

Green Party spokesperson Vix Lowthion said it could have a "devastating" impact on the island's heritage coast and national landscape.

The geology teacher gave a presentation during the meeting about the oil company’s plans.

Ms Lowthion said: "The huge turnout at this meeting demonstrates the strength of feeling against their [ExxonMobil's] plans and that islanders are not going to accept the damage to our woodlands and coastal areas.  

"We need to invest in clean, renewable energy – not perpetuate our reliance on oil.”

Getty Images An aerial view of the ExxonMobil Fawley oil refinery shows multiple large white round containers and towers overlooking the Solent, with a field in the foreground and a small pond filled with water and surrounded by treesGetty Images
ExxonMobil is seeking permission for an underground pipeline from its Fawley oil refinery

In its proposal, ExxonMobil said the carbon dioxide would be taken to a deep rock formation in the English Channel for safe storage - a process known as carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The corporation has been approached for comment about the latest meeting, which comes after it announced the initial public consultation on the proposal would be extended to 18:00 BST on 30 September.

The meeting heard ExxonMobil's timeline for the pipeline would also include a statutory consultation period in the spring or summer of 2025, following by a final application for a Development Consent Order in 2026.

Cameron Palin, co-chair of the Isle of Wight Green Party, said: "It is just dragging out the use of oil and gas.

"We need to be looking at investing in renewables - so wind, solar, tidal - and that is where the future should be."

Mr Foley said: "CCS is proven technology, which the UK Climate Change Committee and the UK government consider key to achieving a significant reduction in industrial CO2 emissions - the industries that produce essential products that we rely on every day."

ExxonMobil A map with a dark blue background shows the outline of Lymington, Hythe, Portsmouth and Newport in a pale green colour and the Solent going through the centre there are arrows showing where the Mainland corridor, Lepe corridor element, Isle of Wight North to West corridor and Isle of Wight North to South corridor would be, as well as showing the DCO {development consent order) boundaryExxonMobil
People attending the meeting were shown diagrams of the proposed corridors which would be used to transport the carbon dioxide

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