The Environment Agency announced on 14 August 2026 that it had granted an environmental permit variation to Drax Power Limited in Yorkshire. The company had applied to vary its permit so carbon capture could be incorporated at its bioenergy plant near Selby. The decision followed a public consultation earlier that summer on the Agency's draft decision.

The Agency said the decision rested on Drax demonstrating it has met and will continue to meet expected mandatory conditions in the permit. Ian Foster, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said officials had reviewed consultation comments and evidence and were satisfied that robust levels of environmental protection are met. A decision document sets out the reasoning and how consultation concerns were addressed.

Drax first applied for the variation in May 2023. The Agency later sought a more detailed assessment, and Drax provided a revised air emissions risk assessment. A second consultation was held in February 2025, followed by the final consultation on the draft decision. Drax aims to capture carbon dioxide from electricity generation for transport and permanent storage under the North Sea.