Petition Against CO2 Pipeline Project Gains Momentum on Isle of Wight

A petition opposing a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline project on the Isle of Wight has garnered nearly 3,000 signatures, reflecting significant local concern. The initiative, launched by resident Christopher Davis, aims to halt Exxon Mobil's plans for an underground pipeline designed to transport captured CO2 from its Fawley oil refinery near Southampton. Davis has expressed that the project would create a “massive scar” on the island's landscape. Exxon Mobil announced the Solent CO2 Pipeline Project on July 18, seeking public feedback on three potential routes. Two of these routes would run beneath the Isle of Wight, with one corridor stretching 26 kilometers from Lepe under the Solent seabed to Little Atherfield, and another 24-kilometer route heading southwest towards Dunsbury near Brook. The project is part of a broader government commitment to carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which includes a £1 billion investment for deployment. Local political figures, including Richard Quigley, Labour MP for Isle of Wight West, and Nick Stuart from the Isle of Wight Council, have voiced their opposition to the pipeline. Their criticisms highlight the potential environmental impact and disruption the project could cause to the island's natural beauty and community. As the debate continues, Exxon Mobil has been approached for comments regarding the petition and the concerns raised by local residents and officials. The outcome of this project remains uncertain as public opinion and political pressure mount.