Situation Inexcusable Claims Wales Green Party Leader
Aberthaw coal-fired power station in Wales has come under criticism by the European Commission and has been referred the United Kingdom to Court due to the absence of a reduction in emissions as requested in 2008.
Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) at the power station were found to exceed the permissible limits.
Under EU legislation on emissions from large combustion plants Member States had until 1 January 2008 to reduce emissions of a number of pollutants from power plants. The Aberthaw power plant does not meet the requirement of the Directive, as it currently operates under a permit which sets a NOx emission limit of 1200 mg/Nm3, as opposed to the legally applicable 500 mg/Nm3 limit set in the Directive. The Commission first raised its concerns in a letter of formal notice in June 2013, followed by a reasoned opinion in October 2014.
Wales Green Party Leader Pippa Bartolotti recently commented that:
“The fact that Aberthaw has been allowed to emit high levels of the toxic gas NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) indefinitely is wrong on every level. They have had almost 8 years to sort this out, and whilst dithering, the impact of respiratory problems and lung disease to the local population has increased.”
“Frankly I find it embarrassing that the matter has got so bad that the European Commission is now taking the UK to court over the failure to cut emissions. This is little short of negligence. Inaction on air pollution is inexcusable, and follows a general trend from the establishment parties of side-lining issues such as climate change and air quality. We simply must recognise the fundamental link between our environment and our quality of life, and to start taking the health of Welsh citizens seriously.”
The Commission has also taken note of the fact that the UK has been working constructively on this issue, with the aim of finding a solution. In this context, the Commission welcomes more recent indications from the UK authorities that investments will be made to upgrade the plant,
However at present the plant continues to operate under a permit, which allows it to emit high levels of the toxic gas NOx. The Commission is therefore referring this case to Court.
We understand that the EC may at this stage ask Court of Justice to impose lump sum and/or penalty payment .