In an email from the Chair of the Prosiect Gwyrdd Steering Committee, Councillor Russell Goodway states categorically that “PG is predicated on a solution which involves incineration. We are advised that this is a solution preferred by Welsh Government.”
The email goes on to say “As they say, the "incineration ship has already sailed" and whether Veolia or Viridor will be the successful bidder will be determined by the procurement process which was put in place before the May elections.”
Robert Hepworth, Chair of Stop Newport incinerator Campaign, said “This is an astonishing admission, and reflects the position we had always suspected – that Prosiect Gwyrdd was always an incinerator project, and not technology neutral as we had had been led to believe. We did not believe what they said, and according to Cllr Goodway we were quite right not to believe it”
“This is a clear change towards fully accepting a public pro-incineration position under pressure from officials, but without taking any vote of the 10 Councillors. WAG and PG officials in particular are now cruelly but justly exposed.”
Pippa Bartolotti, spokesperson for SNIC added “For 2 years we have been fighting to demonstrate that incineration is not a wise choice either environmentally or financially. For 2 years Welsh Government officials have been stringing us along in meetings and exchanges of correspondence. This is a colossal waste of public money.”
“Prosiect Gwyrdd has overrun its timetable and overrun its budget. 2 weeks ago it asked for more money from the 5 councils involved. I do not see how such wastage of time and money can possibly be justified at a time of enforced austerity.”
Veolia are appealing the refusal of planning permission in Newport. Viridor have started work in Cardiff pending the award of contract from the Welsh Government.
SNIC are in possession of QC advice that re-tendering can take place without financial or legal penalty and the arguments for doing so in the public interest, and as a result of changes in the facts on the ground - notably reduced waste flows, new policy statements from the EU against use of incineration and advances in alternative technology.