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

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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/