§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what controls exist over the(a) level and (b) toxicity of emissions from cement kilns used for co-incineration; what chemical analysis of the (i) product and (ii) dust generated is carried out; and how these controls compare in respect of maximum emission levels with standard incinerators. [138575]
§ Mr. MorleyCement kilns are regulated by the Environment Agency under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (the PPC Regulations). The PPC Regulations control industrial pollution through a system of permits, and require that operators use the best available techniques ("BAT") to control pollution from their activities. In determining applications for PPC permits, the Environment Agency considers the level and toxicity of emissions and sets permit conditions to ensure a high level of protection to the environment (inclusive of human health) as a whole.
The analysis of the final cement product is outside the remit of the Environment Agency. Dust generated from the process is collected in abatement equipment and then discarded from the process. Such material is classified as a waste and its generation and subsequent management are regulated under PPC at the installation, and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 once the dust is discarded from the installation. Under certain circumstances the alkalinity levels in this type of waste may be sufficient for it to be given the technical designation of "hazardous" waste. The analysis required would depend on whether the material is consigned for recovery, landfill or any other treatment for disposal.
The maximum emission levels specified for installations manufacturing cement or incinerating waste are based on what the Environment Agency considers to be BAT for each individual installation, but also take into consideration local factors and other relevant statutory requirements. As the technologies for cement manufacture and waste incineration are different, the maximum emission limits for the principal emissions (oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, particulates etc.) are not directly comparable.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what controls exist over the nature of fuels used in cement kilns where co-incineration takes place. [138576]
§ Mr. MorleyCement kilns that co-incinerate waste are regulated by the Environment Agency under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales)716W Regulations 2000 ("the PPC Regulations"). The operator is required to comply with the 1989 Municipal Waste Incineration Directives (89/429/EEC and 89/369/ EEC), the 1994 Hazardous Waste Incineration Directive (94/67/EC) and from 28 December 2005 the Waste incineration Directive (2000/76/EC).
The Environment Agency is the regulator for such cement kilns. Permits issued under the PPC Regulations contain permit conditions which control the type and nature of the fuel to be used, and establish the operating conditions under which that fuel could be used.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the types of(a) fuels and (b) raw materials used since 1 January in the production of cement at Rugby Cement Works, Rugby. [138579]
§ Mr. MorleySince 1 January 2003 to date the cement works in Rugby has used as fuel: coal, fuel oil (for site vehicles) and gas oil (as start up fuel); and as raw materials: chalk, clay, grinding aids and air entrainers, gypsum, iron oxide source, limestone filler, lubricating oils and other maintenance fluids and pulverised fuel ash.