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Permitting Process Overview. Alasdair McKellar PPC Compliance Officer Environment Agency. Introduction. Permit Application and Determination Processes Consider Inter-relationship with IPC Context of Environmental Permitting of Incinerators. Using the ‘I’ Word.
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Permitting Process Overview Alasdair McKellar PPC Compliance Officer Environment Agency
Introduction • Permit Application and Determination Processes • Consider Inter-relationship with IPC • Context of Environmental Permitting of Incinerators
Using the ‘I’ Word Incinerators are often described as • ‘Energy from Waste Plant’ • ‘Energy Recovery Facility’ • ‘Resource Recovery Parks’ But this is • Less Transparent • Stigmatises Incineration
European Directives Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) • No Significant Pollution (includes risk to human health) • Apply Best Available Techniques • Minimise Waste • Prevent Accidents and Limit Their Consequences • Return Land to Satisfactory State Waste Incineration (WID) • Sets Mandatory Minimum Standards for Emission Limit Values, monitoring and various operating conditions Must comply with Both
Permit Determination Process • Pre-Application Discussions • Submit Application (20/10/10) • Duly Making • Advertising and Consultation • Evaluation • Further Information • Determination • Draft Decision • Second Round of Consultation • Decision
What Needs to be in an Application • Non – Technical Summary • BAT Assessment • Description of the process and how it is controlled • Emissions to the Environment (Air, Water, Sewer, Land & Waste) • Efficient Use of Materials, Water and Energy • Noise and Odour • Management • Accident Prevention • Monitoring of Emissions • Protection of the Land – Site Condition Report • Environmental Impact Assessment • Air Dispersion Model • Health Risk Assessment
Consultation and Engagement As part of the determination process we consult with… • The Local Authority, (Planning and Environmental Health) • The Primary Care Trust, • Natural England, • The Food Standards Agency, • Health and Safety Executive • Others as necessary And… Local People by advertising in the local paper and on our website, both at application and draft decision stages.
Responding to Public Concerns • Recognise that local people have genuine concerns and these need to be addressed without being dismissive. • Complex or technical information can be presented clearly and honestly without trivialising the issue. • Myths and misinformation do however need to be challenged. • Be clear about what is within our remit and what is not; and how we reach decisions. • Be aware that some will have other agendas Recognise that local opinion could be very well informed and even expert. • Recognise that local people will know their area and its history better than we do. It All Takes Time
Development Consent Order and Environmental Permit Both are needed to operate • Don’t need a DCO to issue an incinerator permit • Can apply sequentially or twin track • EA and LA are consultees to each other’s process • We exchange information with the IPC
Planning Policy Statement 23 • Government policy on planning and pollution control • States that the two systems are separate but complementary • Planning deals with land use and location • Pollution control deals with the processes and control of emissions
Summary • Incineration is not a dirty word • Plant must comply with IPPC and WID • Application at the Duly Making Stage • High public interest site • Two stages of consultation • Permit determination process will be thorough and painstaking – likely to take up to a year • Planning and Environmental Permitting – separate but complementary
How do I find out more? • From our website • Incineration http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/position/103220.aspx • Permitting http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/117141.aspx • consultation link http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/consultations/consultations.aspx • From Defra website - Permitting http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/permitting/