HC Deb 19 March 1996 vol 274 cc140-1W
Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the permissible daily tonnage of PM 10s which will be emitted from power stations burning orimulsion; and what monitoring procedures have been agreed. [20847]

Mr. Clappison

[holding answer 18 March 1996]: With reference to Pembroke power station, proposals have been received from National Power for the burning of orimulsion, and these are currently being evaluated by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. It is intended that releases of particulate matter would be continuously monitored.

With regard to Ince power station, over 90 per cent. of the particulates from orimulsion combustion are removed by the electrostatic precipitators. The particulate emission limits for orimulsion are currently the most stringent of the black fossil power generation processes.

HMIP requires continuous monitoring of particulates emissions, and specific limits have been imposed for short-term (two hours), medium-term (48 hours), and long-term (monthly) average emission levels. In addition, maximum annual tonnage limits are specified.

The authorisation of Ince power station under EPA90 is soon to be modified, and it is expected that PowerGen will be required to assess the effect of emissions (including PM 10s) on local air quality with a view, if necessary, to reducing concentrations under adverse meteorological conditions.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the measures to be taken at power stations burning orimulsion to ensure there are no emissions of vanadium and other heavy metals as well as pentoxide fumes; and what monitoring procedures have been agreed. [20848]

Mr. Clappison

[holding answer 18 March 1996]: Orimulsion, in common with most heavy fuel oils, contains a small amount of vanadium and heavy metals which form part of the particulates produced in combustion.

The one power station which is currently firing orimulsion is Ince, and this uses electrostatic precipitators which effectively reduce vanadium and heavy metal emissions levels by more than 90 per cent. as a requirement of its IPC authorisation.

Currently, HMIP imposes an annual tonnage limit on power stations for vanadium and heavy metal emissions. In the forthcoming modified authorisation for Ince power station, this limit has been reduced by 15 per cent.