HC Deb 28 February 1996 vol 272 cc609-11W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's variation notice concerning the burning of cemfuel by Castle Cement at Clitheroe cancels previous authorisations and variations. [16721]

Mr. Clappison

The variation notice issued by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to Castle Cement at Clitheroe on 23 January 1996 replaced all the conditions in the original authorisation and previous variations.

Mr. Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution authorisation allowing the burning of cemfuel by Castle Cement at Clitheroe is due for automatic review. [16722]

Mr. Clappison

Authorisations issued by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 are reviewed not less frequently than once in every four years. The authorization issued to Castle Cement at Clitheroe was reviewed prior to the issue of a variation notice on 23 January 1996. The next review is thus due by January 2000.

Mr. Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons the variation in the authorisation by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution allowing the burning of cemfuel by Castle Cement has not been classified as a substantial variation. [16723]

Mr. Clappison

The authorisation issued to Castle Cement in 1993 allowed the burning of cemfuel. The recent variation to this authorisation was issued to set additional controls on the use of cemfuel and limits on the releases to air. Although this did not constitute a substantial change, public and statutory consultations were carried out as required for a substantial change.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the inclusion of pesticides in cemfuel was authorised. [16724]

Mr. Clappison

Pesticides are not permitted to be included in cemfuel. The varied authorisation includes a requirement to carry on the process in the manner described in the application and the application contains a specific exclusion for pesticides.

Mr. Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what constituent parts of cemfuel are now allowed which were prohibited under the authorization which applied prior to 23 January. [16725]

Mr. Clappison

There are no constituent parts of cemfuel now allowed which were prohibited prior to 23 January.

Mr. Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what limits on particulates and other residues deriving from the burnings of cemfuel apply to Castle Cement at Clitheroe; what limits apply at other similar sites; and what factors underlie disparities between these figures. [16759]

Mr. Clappison

Limits set by an authorisation are always site specific, being governed by the fundamental legislative requirement for an operator to use BATNEEC—best available techniques not entailing excessive cost. Differences between sites are therefore to be expected.

Castle Cement, Clitheroe—particulate limit = 90mg/m3.

This represents a tightening of the previous limit of 100mg/m3 and is considered to be achievable based on experience to date. The company is also required to submit proposals for reducing the level of particulates released to air to that expected of a new plant.

Castle Cement, Ketton—particulate limits of 90 mg/m3 (kiln 7) and 50mg/m3 (kiln 8).

With effect from July 1996, kiln 7 will be required to achieve a limit of 50mg/m3. Kiln 8 is a very modern kiln which experience has shown to be able to meet the new plant standard. Kiln 7 is under going a major upgrade to increase its capacity. It is therefor being required to meet the new plant standard as required by chief inspector's guidance note IPR3/1. These limits are completely independent of the use of cemfuel and would have been required whatever the fuel.

Rugby Cement, Barrington—particulate limit = 120mg/m3

This limit will be reviewed following upgrading of the electrostatic precipitators and a limit of 45mg/m3 is effective from 1 April 1998.

According to chief inspector's guidance note IPR3/1, 1 April 1998 is the date when operators are expected to be able to achieve new plant standards.

The limits required of a new incinerator have been applied at all three sites in respect of dioxins and furans, cadmium and thallium, mercury and group III metals.