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'The Government will convene a coal forum to bring together coal-fired generators, coal producers and suppliers, power plant suppliers, trade unions, small businesses and other parties in order to help them to find solutions to secure the long-term future of coal-fired power generation and UK coal production. The forum will facilitate dialogue within the industry and work to ensure that we have the right framework, consistent with our energy policy goals, to secure the long-term contribution of coal-fired power generation and optimise the use of economical coal reserves in the UK.'
DTI Energy Review 2006
The Coal Forum is a non-advisory body set up as an arena where important issues facing the industry can be discussed, with Government participation, in an open manner.
The Forum consists of an independent chairman and senior representatives from the coal mining industry, electricity generators, unions, equipment suppliers, others involved in the industry, and Government, including the Devolved Administrations. Membership is by invitation only and is on a personal basis.
Announcement on the future of the Coal Forum
The Coal Forum held its fifth meeting at DTI headquarters on Thursday 14 June under the Chairmanship of Sir John Collins. DTI Energy Minister Lord Truscott attended for DTI with senior officials from DTI Energy Group.
It was agreed by all that the Forum has improved communication between the various sectors of the industry and with government during its six months of operation. The Forum and its sub-groups have carried out much useful work contributing towards its objectives of finding ‘solutions to secure the long-term future of coal-fired power generation and UK coal production [and facilitating] dialogue within the industry … to ensure that we have the right framework … to secure the long-term contribution of coal-fired power generation and optimise the use of economical coal reserves in the UK’.
It was decided that the Forum should continue and would meet probably three times per year. Lord Truscott pledged ministerial support and DTI said it would continue to supply a secretariat. The next meeting will be held after the summer.
The Forum discussed the first draft of an Overview Report of its activities to date and agreed that this would be published before the end of July.
Lord Truscott and the other members thanked Sir John Collins, who is stepping down as Chair as his agreed term of office ends, for guiding the Forum so well through its first seven months of operation.
Minutes of the meeting will be placed on the web site when completed and approved.
Aims of the Coal Forum
as part of a portfolio of measures to tackle the challenges of climate change, security of energy supply and fuel poverty.
Working Principles