The development of an energy-from-waste facility at Rookery Pit in Bedfordshire has taken a step forward after the Environment Agency awarded a permit for the 585,000 tonne a year plant.
It is anticipated that nearly eight years after the initial application, work on the Covanta and Veolia-run project will now commence later this year. The facility will become operational after a three year construction period.
In its judgment on granting the permit, the Environment Agency stated: “We have considered all the relevant factors, including all public consultation responses, and have reached the conclusion that, the proposals will not give rise to any significant pollution of the environment or harm to human health.”
An artist’s impression of the facility
This is despite the Environment Agency stating that it had received approximately 3,300 responses to its consultation from members of the public with the vast majority of these indicating an objection to a permit being issued. However, according to the agency, many responses were outside of its remit.
“Whilst the level of public response has been significant, it is important to note that under the relevant legislation we can only consider those issues which are relevant to the permitting process. This means that any planning related issues, for example traffic related impacts, cannot be considered.”
The energy recovery facility will be capable of using municipal, commercial and non-hazardous industrial residual waste as fuel to generate heat and electricity. The facility will provide an outlet for the disposal of over 585,000 tonnes of residual waste per year and will generate over 60 MWe of low carbon energy.
Covanta said the facility will recover value from approximately 96% of the waste it treats, helping to achieve recovery, recycling and renewable energy targets.
Matthew Mulcahy, Covanta executive vice president and head of corporate development, explained that the permit is one of the “final hurdles” before the company moves “into full construction of the Rookery project.
He said: “The facility represents critical waste infrastructure that will help the UK achieve national recovery, recycling and renewable energy targets. We are pleased with the progress we have made to reach this point and look forward to bringing this project to completion.”
Proposals
Covanta officially submitted plans for the Rookery Pit proposals in 2010. The plans became the first major infrastructure project to win the backing of the independent Infrastructure Planning Commission.
The decision to grant the project a development consent order was made by a panel of three independent commissioners appointed to consider Covanta’s application for the project (see lets recyle.com story).
Waste management firm FCC Environment had challenged the proposals on the basis that it owned some of the Rookery Pit land, however a judge dismissed this in 2014, thereby permitting Covanta’s proposals in 2014.
Veolia
Covanta partnered with Veolia in 2016 to deliver the project. In September last year, the Environment Agency accepted that the plant is too isolated to supply heat to its surrounding area and will only generate electricity.
With regard to heat the EA said: “We consider that within the constraints of the location of the installation…the installation will recover heat as far as practicable, and therefore that the requirements of Article 50(5) are met.”
The draft permit document explained that Covanta had carried out a search of opportunities to supply heat within 15 km of the installation.
Following this search, Covanta found that any residential developments in the area were under construction “and so the inclusion of a heat network to these properties is not likely to be available”.
Covanta “identified head loads (demand for heat) within 15 km of the installation. None were in excess of 5 MWth”. And the company stated that “there are physical restraints such as rivers, roads and railways that make heat supply not feasible”.
Community
A joint statement from Veolia and Covanta said that the two will be “re-engaging” the Rookery South Community Liaison Panel (CLP) which was originally established in 2008. The statement read: “The CLP plays a key role in the communications arrangements of the project, which have been put in place in order to ensure effective dialogue between Covanta, Veolia and the local community. We value the views and opinions of our neighbours and look forward to building open and transparent relationships.”
The post Permit awarded for Rookery Pit EfW plant appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
