Scottish Ministers publish Scoping Opinions on Forth Energy's 4 biomass burner proposals, 29 April 2010
In December 2009 Forth Energy published Scoping Statements/Reports on their proposals for biomass burners at Leith, Grangemouth, Dundee and Rosyth (click here). Scottish Ministers have responded to these with Scoping Opinions on each of the proposals. The purpose of Scoping Opinions (henceforth ‘the documents’) is to provide guidance for the applicant in drafting Environmental Impact Assessments (required as part of the planning application process).
The documents highlight (among other things) possible effects on air quality and climate.
Scoping Opinion on Leith proposals
On the subject of air quality and climate, the Leith document points out that the proposed plant is very large (200MW), and therefore although SEPA will regulate the plant it will be challenging to control emissions to meet with the Scottish Air Quality Regulations in particular, fine particles PM10 and PM2.5.
The document goes on to say that the Leith plant will also combust a percentage of waste materials (cardboard and paper) and therefore may need to be compliant with the Waste Incineration Directive (WID).
The document cautions that although biofuels are a renewable source of energy, depending on where and how they are produced their carbon payback can be very lengthy and, if particularly badly sourced may result in a net increase in emissions (p127).
At page 46, the document criticises Forth Energy for failing to mention in its Scoping report potential problems of smell, and the need to consult with relevant personnel within Edinburgh City Council, which is responsible for local air quality under the regime of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM).
At page 126, the document explains that biomass burners have similar problems to the paper industry:
"It is worth mentioning that the proposed biomass plants exhibit similarities to the pulp and paper industry (albeit without chlorination but with combustion) which has many well-known pervasive and displaced environmental impacts: acid rain potential from NOx and SOx, black liquor problem, toxic chemicals like dioxins, phenols, furans etc. The impacts of the biomass energy process need to be fully assessed for toxic and displaced impacts on the surrounding environment."
The documents highlight (among other things) possible effects on air quality and climate.
Scoping Opinion on Leith proposals
On the subject of air quality and climate, the Leith document points out that the proposed plant is very large (200MW), and therefore although SEPA will regulate the plant it will be challenging to control emissions to meet with the Scottish Air Quality Regulations in particular, fine particles PM10 and PM2.5.
The document goes on to say that the Leith plant will also combust a percentage of waste materials (cardboard and paper) and therefore may need to be compliant with the Waste Incineration Directive (WID).
The document cautions that although biofuels are a renewable source of energy, depending on where and how they are produced their carbon payback can be very lengthy and, if particularly badly sourced may result in a net increase in emissions (p127).
At page 46, the document criticises Forth Energy for failing to mention in its Scoping report potential problems of smell, and the need to consult with relevant personnel within Edinburgh City Council, which is responsible for local air quality under the regime of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM).
At page 126, the document explains that biomass burners have similar problems to the paper industry:
"It is worth mentioning that the proposed biomass plants exhibit similarities to the pulp and paper industry (albeit without chlorination but with combustion) which has many well-known pervasive and displaced environmental impacts: acid rain potential from NOx and SOx, black liquor problem, toxic chemicals like dioxins, phenols, furans etc. The impacts of the biomass energy process need to be fully assessed for toxic and displaced impacts on the surrounding environment."
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