§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to encourage energy from waste plants to increase energy efficiency; [70766]
(2) if he will make a statement on the definition used by his Department of an energy from waste plant. [70765]
§ Mr. MealeAlthough there is no statutory definition of an energy from waste plant, the term can be applied to any technology which makes use of waste to supply useful heat and/or power. The waste can include municipal, industrial, commercial and agricultural waste, or sewage. Energy can be recovered through a number of different technologies, including incineration, pyrolysis, gasification, and anaerobic digestion.
Energy from waste must be considered in the context of an integrated approach to waste management, and the Government support its use where economic and environmentally beneficial. Energy from waste schemes should be developed to the highest practicable levels of environmental protection and energy efficiency, as the Government will reflect in their forthcoming Waste Strategy, Climate Change Programme, and promotion of Combined Heat and Power.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to treat energy from waste plants on the same basis as other electricity and power generating bodies for rating purposes; [70764]
(2) what plans he has to issue regulations with regard to the rating of energy from waste plants prior to the Coventry appeal case being heard by the House of Lords. [70763]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe next revaluation of property for non-domestic rates will take effect on 1 April 2000. We are currently reviewing the way in which waste to energy plants are treated under non-domestic rates and we will introduce any changes on 1 April 2000.