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59
Fulham Power Station
From the time of its erection until the outbreak of war, washing of flue
gases was carried out at this station, but was not recommenced afterwards.
On the 28th April, 1960, the Council was informed that the Central
Electricity Generating Board had applied to the Minister of Power to be
relieved of the condition imposed by the Electricity Commissioners in 1931
that its predecessors should use at the Fulham Power Station continuously
the most efficient methods which might for the time being be reasonably
practicable for the prevention of the discharge of sulphur and its
compounds into the atmosphere. The Council decided to inform the
Minister that, although it raised no objection to the grant ing of the Board's
application that it should not be required to resume gas washing at the
Station, it hoped that the Minister would take all possible steps to obtain
the closing down of the Station in a shorter period than that at present
envisaged by the Board.
Subsequently a letter, dated 21st September, 1960, was received from
the Minister of Power stating that he had decided to grant the application
made by the Board. After consulting the Minister of Housing and Local
Government and the Minister of Works he had reached the conclusion
that, in view of the fairly rapid decrease which is expected in the Station's
coal consumption and consequent sulphur emission, he would not be
justified in re-imposing a requirement which had been in abeyance for
nearly twenty years and would involve a very heavy expenditure. He
further stated, however, that as a result of special representations by the
London County Council, he would, in consultation with the Minister of
Housing and Local Government, keep under review the extent to which
Electricity Generating Stations may contribute to air pollution in the
County of London with a view to taking such action as may appear to be
practicable and desirable.