Carbon Capture and Storage Ignites Debate in Germany

A proposed CCS site under an eastern German village has met serious opposition from locals who fear their crops and families will suffer. Scientists and the energy company say it's perfectly safe.

1 minute read

October 7, 2009, 11:00 AM PDT

By Alek Miller

"Still, 'people are worried about leaks,' says Thomas Lautsch, Vattenfall Europe AG's head of CO2 storage. 'They worry their kids will be suffocated, their cows will die, their property values will slump.'

To reassure them, Dr. Lautsch, a mining engineer, organized around six town-hall meetings to explain Vattenfall's plans. Germany has more than 40 natural-gas storage sites, many of them under residential areas, he said. If people could accept natural gas on their doorsteps, why not the less-dangerous CO2?"

FULL STORY: Locals Try Sinking Plan to Store CO2 Underground

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 in The Wall Street Journal

Energy Environment Europe Germany Carbon Sequestration

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.