Coal Fired Power Stations

Dr. Cable
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) the reuse of waste ash and (ii) levels of radioactive emissions from coal-fired power stations.

Mr. Kidney
[holding answer 12 October 2009]: DECC has not commissioned or evaluated research on the re-use of waste ash and levels of radioactive emissions from coal-fired power stations. According to industry sources, around 50 per cent. of waste pulverised fuel ash from coal-fired power stations is re-used in the construction sector.