Spotlight on Chineham Newsletter - Autumn 2003

All Burnt Up!

THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY appears amazingly laid-back about the incinerator emissions breaches to-date. Whether they would be moved to take action if a life threatening toxic cloud were to drift over Chineham is uncertain. Perhaps that too would be one of the expected hazards of plant operation and less important than the commercial interests of the polluter.

The recent series of "maintenance" shutdowns since completion of commissioning are something of a mystery.  Whilst one might prefer to have no incinerator at all, the worst possible situation is to have which which is constantly switched on and off as it is during start up and shut down that pollution control is the biggest challenge.  The general picture emerging suggests far too much faith in the operator on the part of the Environment Agency which is supposed to be protecting the interests of the public rather than the operators.  Spotlight believes there needs to be more challenging of explanations being given by the operator and if adequate expertise does not exist within the agency then it should seek such from third parties.

Meanwhile, the burner should not be allowed to restart without prior thorough technical appraisal in the name of the Environment Agency following any unscheduled shut down.  One wonders when the time will have come to start imposing serious fines for these mounting numbers of failures?

One earlier promise which may already be disintegrating is the suggestion made to focus groups that not only would the burner operate within the legal standards, but far better than required, since the equipment to be installed was of such a high specification that extra margins could be achieved.  It now seems that they are aiming to keep just within standards because of the increased costs of operating more cleanly.

Smoke Without Fire

The number of complaints about ash and acrid burning smells in Chineham have subsided somewhat recently.  Whether the incinerator has been to blame remains unanswered but circumstantial evidence could be said to point to the burner.  There has been some evidence of local bonfires, but not really in excess of what has historically been the norm, and thus unlikely to promote the level and breadth off complaints received in the first half of 2003.

The ash sample submitted by Chineham Parish Council for scientific analysis provided inconclusive results, but may lead to further quiries.  Astonishingly, the Environment Agency declared such tests to be too expensive for them to arrange, so whilst perhaps holding your breath to avoid breathing in pollution don't do so whilst waiting for the Environment Agency to bust a gut restraining Hampshire Waste Services!

It may be a while yet before emission data can be viewed on the web, although a visit to the Civic Offices should provide information for those able to understand it. 

If you wish to keep up-to-date, or are making representations, don't forget to include the BBAC website at www.bbacweb.com, or call Chris Tomblin on 880558

Snippets

The Burner Action Campaign website bbacweb.com remains open for reports on possible emissions breeches together with latest news on the group's activities. 

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