The proposed Woodhouse Colliery near Whitehaven in Cumbria has been dogged by years of controversy and an increasingly bitter political dispute. Now the Department for Upgrading is set to make the decision on or before December 8, as Sky News understands planning ministers need more time to consider the case. Gaile Stevens, councilor for Whitehaven South, is just one of many supporters who oppose it. “It’s wrong,” he told Sky News. “The people of Cumbria, the people of Whitehaven deserve better than to be transported back in time. “At this point in terms of where the planet is, we need to move towards renewable energy and green energy solutions. “Whitehaven should be building solar panels and finding new ways of doing things, but instead they’re trying to sell local people on the idea that there’s money and there’s jobs around coal.” Financial opportunity Local mayor Mike Starkie can only see economic opportunities. He points out that the coal from the new mine will be destined for steelmaking, an industry that is growing. He told Sky News: “If we’re going to deal with renewables, which we all support and I would welcome any renewables coming to this borough… whether you want a nuclear reactor or a solar panel, or a wind turbine, they all need substantial amounts of steel and the only way to make that steel is you need coking coal.” There are ways to make “green” steel with hydrogen, however the vast majority of what is made requires coking coal. But for Dave Cradduck, who comes from a proud mining family, it’s less about science and more about common sense. He said: “Our own energy source is under our feet. You generate energy from what you have, not from someone else taking it there.” It is unclear how much of the coal will be for domestic use or export. British steelworkers questioned whether the coal from the new mine would be suitable for them. It is just one of a whole series of thorny problems for government ministers to consider, who must weigh the benefits of investing in marginalized communities and increasing energy independence against the fact that the UK is supposed to be a climate leader. change and has pressured other countries to stop using coal. Climate change advisers say the decision is unacceptable Friends Of The Earth energy campaigner Tony Bosworth said: “The run up to next week’s climate summit was an ideal opportunity for the government to rebuild its battered green credentials by rejecting this destructive and unnecessary coal mine. It’s a shame they didn’t grab it. “Secretaries of State may come and go, but the case against this mine is as strong as ever. “It will increase emissions while its coal market is shrinking rapidly as steel mills move to greener production methods. “Bringing back the fracking ban was a good first step, but if Rishi Sunak really wants to keep his pledge to make climate change a priority his government needs to leave coal in the ground. “Instead, they should boost renewable energy and home insulation to create new jobs that areas like Whitehaven need.” The government’s own climate change advisers said a decision to open a new coal mine would be unacceptable. But a looming recession amid a global energy crisis may change the calculus. In the uncertainty of this political moment, anything is possible.