HC Deb 12 June 2000 vol 351 cc436-7W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes have been made in the authorisation of releases from the Byker Heat Station, Newcastle over the years of its operation; and at whose request the changes were made. [125138]

Mr. Meacher

The following changes have been made in the authorisation of releasesVariation AJ3042: Changes made 15 July 1993 by HMIP. Condition 1.1.2—Added wood chip as a permitted fuel. Condition 5.1.10—Specified the composition of wood chip fuel. Variation AJ6955: Changes made 27 September 1993 by HMIP. Variation at request of operator. New conditions relating to the visibility of the plume were added. Variation AN2927: Changes made by HMIP 31 December 1995. Variation at request of operator. Condition 5.1.10—specified that spent ash and lime shall only be discharged via skips.

In addition a number of changes have been made to the requirements to report releases.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the unquantified toxic releases to air in the 1995 incident at the Byker Heat Station posed a risk to health; what area may have been affected by this release; and if(a) the regulator required and (b) the operator undertook an investigation as to the possible health effects to workers at the site and nearby residents. [125140]

Mr. Meacher

There is no evidence to suggest that the incident in 1995 posed a risk to health. Analysis of the incident in question suggested that a lower mass probably was released than in an equivalent period of normal operation. However, a precise estimation of distribution effects would be impracticable.

The Agency did not require the operator to conduct an investigation into possible health effects and is not aware of such an investigation being conducted by the operator.