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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mr. St. Aubyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to ensure that, in the design and planning of waste incinerators proposed for Guildford, Capel and Redhill, account will be taken of the need (a) to ensure the health and safety of those at risk and (b) to quantify the degree of risk in each case by a properly conducted risk analysis; and if he will publish in full such analyses by dates announced in advance. [143394] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 19 December 2000]: The risks and effects of new incineration plants are considered under the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, as set out in the "Government Response to the 11{th} report of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities--Waste Incineration". In addition, all such new incinerators require a permit from the Environment Agency under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 or Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 before they can operate. As part of the permit application the Agency would normally require an environmental and health impact assessment that identified and quantified the emissions and exposure pathways. The assessment would be expected to compare the modelled emissions data to nationally and internationally recognised standards set by independent bodies such as the World Health Organisation or the Government's Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards. All environmental and health impact assessments are closely scrutinised by the Agency and comments are sought from statutory consultees such as the local health authority. If the permit application demonstrated that there would be unacceptable risks to the environment or on human health as a result of releases, it would not be approved. All permit applications are placed on a public register except for any information determined to be commercially confidential. In addition, for all application decisions under the 1999 Act and for all incinerator decisions under the predecessor regime, the Agency will make publicly available a decision document outlining the basis for its decision.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

361 c186-7W;361 c186-8W; 143394

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Applications Air pollution Licensing Environment protection EU law Environmental impact assessment Incinerators Pollution control Safety Waste management Guildford Capel Redhill

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk