ENVIRONMENT
Environmental benefits
Biomass energy facilities provide a range of environmental benefits from reducing the emission of greenhouse gases to reducing the burden on our landfills.
Principal among these benefits is that using biomass as a fuel for power stations is a low-carbon alternative to conventional energy generation and therefore helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimise global warming impacts. Biomass fuel is carbon-neutral at source: ie the CO2 emitted during combustion is equal to the amount absorbed from the atmosphere during the biomass growth phase.
Another benefit is that the use of biomass fuels produces extremely low sulphur dioxide emissions, the main culprit in causing acid rain.
Additionally, the use of non-recyclable waste wood as a fuel helps reduce the need to create new landfills, extends the life of existing landfills and reduces the emission of landfill gas, itself a potent greenhouse gas.
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Environmental Impacts
Like any other combustion process, exhaust gases will be produced. However, such exhaust gases will be carefully controlled and the project will meet the latest and toughest government guidelines and use the best available pollution control technologies. The small amounts of exhaust gases such as the oxides of Nitrogen, the oxides of Sulphur and small particulates that are produced in the combustion of the fuel will go through thorough filtration and high tech scrubbing. As part of the planning and permitting process, the project will apply for a licence from the Environment Agency (EA). The licence will only be granted if the project meets the standards set by the EA, who will continue to monitor and regulate emissions during the lifetime of the project.
Detailed studies of the potential impact of the project on the ecology, flora and fauna of the area were be carried out by independent experts as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment and measures put in place to ensure that any impact is minimised. We have consulted widely with organisations such as the Natural England, the Environment Agency, RSPB and the local Wildlife Trust and welcome their views on the development.
The site has a history of industrial use and we believe that the development of a renewable energy project is a good use of a 'brownfield' site.
The Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the Environmental Statement (ES) is available to download here >>
Environmental Impact Assessment
The purpose of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is to investigate and mitigate any potential effects of a development on the natural, physical and human environment.
As part of the planning application RES was required to carry out an EIA. Within an EIA, the potential impacts and effects on local communities, fauna and flora; soil, water, air, climate, and the landscape; material assets and the cultural heritage; and the interaction between these factors, were examined and their significance assessed. Where necessary, mitigation measures to eliminate or reduce potential impacts were identified and have been included in the draft Development Consent Order (DCO).
A copy of the Environmental Scoping Report is available to download here >>
For more downloadable information, please visit our Downloads page here >>
