Prosiect Gwyrdd/Incinerator Ian Lloyd-Davies threats

Prosiect Gwyrdd/Incinerator Ian Lloyd-Davies ticks me off and threatens to report me!!!
Dear Anne, he writes...
Please can you correct the consistent inaccuracies in your blog, www.prosiectgwyrdd.com ? The roadshow was not an ‘incinerator roadshow’. It was a roadshow to explain the possible options that may be available from the market place, explaining markets and outputs of each process, providing information on the procurement process and providing an opportunity for the public to ask questions on the project.
You were there to campaign against one technology, incineration, and staff were on hand to respond to your questions on that technology.
As previously explained Prosiect Gwyrdd is technology neutral and will assess all bids made against agreed criteria.
With regards to your comments on dioxin emissions we accept there are a number of reports regarding the effects and sources of dioxins that are available, the report you are quoting from, while being written in 2007 is based on 1999 data, where as the report we discussed on Tuesday is also a 2007 report that is based on Defra report from 2004, stating "traffic accounts for 3% of dioxins where as MSW incineration accounts for less than 1%, which is available from attached link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/statistics/health.htm
Staff made it clear that you need to address your questions relating to regulation of any residual waste treatment technologies to the correct agencies.
Specific questions relating to emissions resulting from any residual waste treatment solution should be addressed to the agencies that regulate these processes.
Given the information that has been given to you in this email, please can you remove the inaccuracies in your blog immediately? Also, please can you remove my name from your blog, If you wish to attribute material to me, then it should be in the name of a ‘Prosiect Gwyrdd spokesman said:
I have written the Editor of the Echo to explain the full context of what I said in relation to the, ‘there is no perfect solution’ comment and I wait to hear from them and have this corrected.
...you said that to me? changed your mind??
The project appreciates that you have your views and welcomes discussion but it is very important that you present information correctly and in a factually accurate way. As the information on your blog has been subject to an editorial decision-making process, if this request isn’t actioned then I will have little option that to report this matter to the Press Complaints Commission.
Kind Regards, Ian Lloyd-Davies.

Actually we were campaigning FOR an environmentally sound solution! I am not sure what explaining markets means? Prosiect Gwyrdd is NOT technology neutral as claimed as the process is bias towards incineration which is obvious from the calibre of the companies the project has chosen to give "The invitation to participate in dialogue"!*** A quick google will inform readers that these 'chosen' companies are or have been vehemently opposed elsewhere for wanting to build INCINERATORS! So where are the options and incinerator or an incinerator at the bottom of the waste hierarchy? Landfill in the sky is not a solution!
Read the information about the chosed bidders that Prosiect Gwyrdd doesnt give the public!


TPD has been issued to the successful companies below (in alphabetical order):
1. Covanta Energy Ltd - http://covantaenergy.co.uk/
No Coventa incinerator
 CHAIN no to Coventa in Cheshire
The Facebook page for residents against the Covanta Incinerator at Stewartby
2.  MVV Umwelt Gmbh - www.mvv-environment.co.uk
ampaign against http://www.ernesettle.org.uk/
Plans for an incinerator at Ernesettle have been dropped by MVV UMWELT
3. Shanks Group PLC/Wheelabrator Technologies Inc -
Lincolnshire Anti-Incineration Alliance (LAIA) •
http://www.shanks.co.uk/ http://www.wheelabratortechnologies.co.uk/
4. SITA UK Ltd - http://www.sita.co.uk
Suffolk Against Incineration and Landfill (SAIL) and Mid Suffolk FoE
Bristol Greens urge objections to waste incinerator plan
Bristol24-7 4 Mar 2010 ... SITA UK Ltd has applied to the Environment Agency for a permit to allow them ... “Waste incineration encourages councils not to bother with ...
www.bristol247.com/.../greens-urge-objections-to-waste-incinerator-plan/
5. Urbaser Ltd - http://www.urbaser.es/en/en_index.htm
http://www.cracin.co.uk/news.html
Essex FoE / Essex Green Party
6. Veolia ES Aurora Ltd - http://www.veoliaenvironmentalservices.co.uk
Swansea ban Veolia · UK Without Incineration Network
15 Jul 2010 ... Other authorities have discontinued contracts with Veolia, but have not specified this reason. Swansea City Council is therefore leading the ..
Rainworth Incinerator Campaign People Against Incineration PAIN ...relating to the Rainworth Incinerator. Veolia tried to prevent us from seeing the PFI
7. Waste Recycling Group Ltd - http://www.wrg.co.uk
Oxford FoE · UK Without Incineration Network
This is great news for Oxfordshire. WRG could not convince councillors that they would properly seal off any hazardous waste before it was transported for ...
8• Viridor Waste Management Limited - http://www.viridor.co.uk
People and parties joined to object against Viridor's New England ...
14 Mar 2010 ... Ivybridge galvanised to object to Viridor incinerator .... is part of the not- for-profit media social enterprise News and Media Republic. ...

Project 'Gwyrdd'/Incinerator spin

 The Project 'Gwyrdd'/Project Green  Incinerator roadshow protest went very well on Tuesday in Cardiff (see more action and news coverage below) - people were very keen to hear what we had to say and learn the facts. The roadshow is led by an ex journalist  turned PR person Ian since 9 months ago actually 'a twist the facts' bloke' to convince the public that incineration is 'green'. However he could not compete with our scientists! He was desperately waving around proof   emmm documents written and paid by the incinerator industry to prove incineration was great! Ian the Prosiect 'Gwyrdd' incinerator Spin bloke was telling us on Tuesday that cars put out more dioxins than incineration does. It turns out this is incredibly false.

The Environment Agency reported in 2007 ("UK Soil and Herbage Pollutant Survey") that transport generates 1% of the UK's dioxin output, while incineration contributes *eleven* percent. Incineration remains the biggest single contributor to dioxins other than accidents (house fires).

Communications officer Spin bloke Ian Lloyd-Davies, Prosiect Gwyrdd Incinerator said the scheme is a “low-carbon” solution to dealing with waste and reduce the amount set to landfill. When asked about the environmental impact of the proposed incinerators, he said there is “no perfect solution"  - couldn't make it up!
Protest over incinerator plans WalesOnline - ‎Eight companies have been invited to bid for the contract to process non-recyclable waste from around South Wales as part of Prosiect Gwyrdd.

Other events are planned following the Prosiect Gwyrdd/Project Green roadshows:

TOMORROW August 26 Penarth, Outside the Pier, 11am-2pm

September 2 Cattle Market car park, bottom of Monnow Street, Monmouth, 11am-2pm

September 4 Twyn car park, Caerphilly Town Centre, 11am-2pm

September 7 John Frost Square, Newport City Centre, 11am-2pm

Cardiff against incineration is a member of   http://ukwin.org.uk 
Petition: Cardiff Against the Incinerator http://tinyurl.com/ cardiffburner....

tell Prosiect Gwyrdd/project Green NO2 Viridor incinerator

Join us tomorrow  Tuesday 24th august in Queen Street Carifff from 11am to tell Prosiect Gwyrdd/project Green that Viridor incinerator is not GREEN

Petitons to sign first   to WAG and 2. http://petitions.tigweb.org/cardiffincinerator

Huge Public meeting Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 7:00pm
Splott Sport & Social Club, Cardiff, United Kingdom .

Read also ADAMSTOWN against the incinerator http://www.adamsdown.org/splottincinerator

Cardiff AGAINST THE INCINERATOR

Protest at the Protest at the evironment Agency Offices 29 Newport Road
Cardiff City Centre Thursday 12 August 12 Noon-2pm Bring Banners,
Placards and Friends Environment Agency Offices 29 Newport Road Cardiff City Centre
Thursday 12 August 12 Noon-2pm Bring Banners, Placards and Friends

Viridor Waste Management plan to build a rubbish incinerator in the heart of Cardiff. The
Environment Agency can stop it with the stroke of a pen. But the EA side with big
business more than they side with the needs of the average person. We need to stand
together and demand the Environment Agency to do their job!

Areas of Cardiff already have dangerously poor air quality. The Stephenson Court area,
just a few feet from the Environment Agency's offices, is about to be declared an "Air Quality
Management Area" due to hazardous concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
The Environment Agency admit they've simply missed this in building their report on the
incinerator. The operation of Viridor's incinerator would worsen an already-poor environmental
situation. If the Environment Agency is missing so many obvious ways an incinerator would be
bad for public health in Cardiff, we have a duty to our fellow residents to take our message
straight to the Environment Agency, and to build a campaign and say No to the Cardiff
Incinerator!
Dangerous air quality
Cancer-causing chemicals
Incinerators cause cancer. Independent scientific evidence is overwhelming, with
dozens of studies from around the world showing again and again a clear link between
living near an incinerator and a higher risk of liver cancer, stomach cancer and lymphoma, it
is reckless to build a rubbish incinerator anywhere near a residential area.

But the Environmental Agency aren't listening to independent scientists. Instead, they're
trusting Viridor's own reports and outdated, cherry-picked government summaries.
Viridor Waste Management plan to build a rubbish incinerator in the heart of Cardiff. The
Environment Agency can stop it with the stroke of a pen. But the EA side with big
business more than they side with the needs of the average person. We need to stand
together and demand the Environment Agency to do their job!
 
Splott Incinerator


Green Party backs campaign against Splott Incinerator Matt Townsend syas...

Residents of Adamsdown and Splott are up in arms over the approved application to build a waste incinerator at Trident Park. The Green Party believes that the Lib-Dem/Plaid coalition in charge of Cardiff Council lacks foresight in its waste handling strategy. The Green Party is opposed to...

Splott Incinerator - effect on house prices

The Green Party has raised the question - what effect will the Splott Incinerator have on house prices? The question was raised using the Freedom of Information Act, and can be viewed here: http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/splott_incinerator_effect_on_hou We expect a response by the 31st...

Splott Incinerator - enormous waste lorries could travel down Newport Road

One of my biggest personal concerns about the Splott Incinerator is the impact it will have on the roads around Adamsdown and Splott. Will there be massive lorries taking waste to the incinerator and taking away the toxic waste which will be produced by the incineration? I often see massive...

A Brief History of the Splott Incinerator

I've put together some web links that I thought might be useful to people looking in to the incinerator issue. I hope this helps anyone who wants to find out further information about the background. I've also mentioned some of the involvement by myself and the Green Party in the process, but..

the Environment Agency wants your views on incinerator

The Environment Agency has published a draft decision indicating they are "minded to" give environmental permission to the Splott incinerator. But they are required to consult the public, and we should make the most of this. We'll be demonstrating at 2pm and 6pm in order to show the EA the resolve of Cardiff's residents opposed to this or any incinerator.
All day, we'll be lobbying the EA at the Star Centre Splott.

Residents and interest groups can also lobby the EA themselves; book a time by ringing 029 20 24 5330 or e-mail extwse.cardiff2.wls@enviro

nment-agency.gov.uk

Environment Agency let down Spott residents

Cardiff Stop the Incinerator have obtained the draft decision from the Environment Agency regarding the Splott incinerator.

(todays BBC News -The £150m plant already has planning permission from Cardiff council but is opposed..Last year Cardiff's planning committee decided the proposal would result in "the unsustainable transportation of waste". But the plans were passed last month after Viridor agreed to pay £182,096 towards "transportation infrastructure enhancements" in the city,,sustainable city???...just what we need more roads for rubbish lorries!!!)

We have begun assessing this draft decision, which we are disappointed to read states that the EA is "minded to" grant an environmental permit to the incinerator. On initial examination it is clear to us that the Environment Agency's draft decision has been written based on outdated and incomplete information.

Most seriously, we note the discussion of the incinerator's effect on air quality management areas (page 46). The EA considers the impact of the incinerator only on the St Mary Street Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), and asserts "that the Newport Road and Philog AQMA’s are no longer necessary". The EA has failed to take note of the fact that in 2010 an AQMA was re-declared for Newport Road, and also ignores the declaration of the AQMA in Stephenson Court.(1) We believe these omissions invalidate the Environment Agency's recommendation in its entirety. Furthermore we observe that as the EA was still considering evidence from incinerator company Viridor Waste Management at least as late as 12 May 2010 (page 50), the EA's failure to consider current enviromental issues in Cardiff shows a failure on its part to put local and environmental concerns ahead of business concerns. The Environment Agency promised at the beginning of the public consultation process that "EPR [Environmental Permitting Regulations] permits are living documents and they can be varied during their life as new information or technology becomes available."(2) We sincerely hope the EA will live up to its word.

We are also dismayed to read the Environment Agency's failure to consider overwhelming preponderance of scientific evidence regarding the carcinogenicity of waste incinerators. In reviewing the existing guidance on the health effects of incinerators (page 52), the EA cite only a single study, the Small Area Health Statistics Unit's (SAHSU) examination in 1993-1994 of the waste effects of incinerators. While this one study did give an inconclusive result, the EA ignores seven newer studies which all show a clear link between waste incinerators and cancers such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, liver cancer and breast cancer, both in adults and in children.(3)

In addition we note that the EA cites in support of its conclusion the position of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)(4) and the Health Protection Agency statements in 2005 and 2009(5) regarding waste incineration (page 54). The DEFRA and HPA documents cited draw their positions from the same single SAHSU study; in effect, the EA cites the same government-funded study four times. The EA presents a misleading picture of the evidence linking incinerators with cancer, and while we do not assert that this misrepresentation is deliberate, it is nonetheless irresponsible and verges on the abuse of science for political gain.

Finally we call attention to the EA's admission of the scantness of its public consultation (pages 91-100). The Environment Agency notes a total of 26 people attending its two public consultations. Since then, the EA has admitted it is unable to adequately consult residents regarding decisions(6). We furthermore note that in the space of less than two months, dozens of local residents have taken part in public meetings and protests against the incinerator, and hundreds have lent their signature to our petitions opposing the incinerator and calling for a greener alternative.

We sympathise with EA spokeperson Dr Norman Allan's concerns(7) that funding cutbacks are partly to blame for the failure of the EA to perform its mission to a sufficient standard. Only with adequate public funding and constant democratic review can an important body such as the Environment Agency carry out its important tasks of defending the interests of the working people of Britain.

The complete draft decision is available online at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/LP3030XA_CardiffEfW_DraftDD_For_Consultation.pdf.

Cardiff Stop the Incinerator continues to urge all residents of Cardiff to attend our public meeting on 27 July, 7pm in the STAR Centre, Splott in preparation for the EA's public consultation on 30 July. The Environment Agency has reached an incorrect conclusion based on flawed data. We will continue to fight against the incinerator and in defence of the people of Cardiff, whether this means opposing Cardiff Council, the Environment Agency, the Welsh Assembly, or the gods themselves.

Edmund Schluessel

Cardiff Stop the Incinerator

(1) The Stephenson Court AQMA was recommended in the document , available online at http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?Object_ID=17256&. The Newport Road AQMA was declared in early June 2010 and is discussed in the article "Fumes 'risk' to Residents" by Ed Walker, South Wales Echo, 10 June 2010, available online at http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/06/10/fumes-risk-to-residents-91466-26620354/

(2) Agency response from public surgery held 15 June 2009. Cited on page 91 of the draft decision.

(3) For completeness we cite those studies:

Comba, P. et al. "Risk of soft tissue sarcomas and residence in the neighbourhood of an incinerator of industrial wastes". Occup Environ Med 2003;60:680-683

Floret, N. et al. "Dioxin Emissions from a Solid Waste Incinerator and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma". Epidemiology 2003;14;4;392-398

Knox, E. "Childhood cancers, birthplaces, incinerators and landfill sites". International Journal of Epidemiology 2000;29:391-397

Viel, J-F et al. "Soft-Tissue Sarcoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Clusters around a Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator with High Dioxin Emission Levels". American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 152, No. 1 : 13-19

Viel, J-F et al. "Dioxin emissions from a municipal solid waste incinerator and risk of invasive breast cancer: a population-based case-control study with GIS-derived exposure". International Journal of Health Geographics 2008, 7:4

Viel, J-F et al. "Risk for non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the vicinity of French municipal solid waste incinerators" Environmental Health 2008, 7:51

Zambon, P. et al. "Sarcoma risk and dioxin emissions from incinerators and industrial plants: a population-based case-control study (Italy)" Environmental Health 2007, 6:19

(4) "Review of Environmental and Health Effects of Waste Management: Municipal Solid Waste and Similar Wastes", published by DEFRA in 2004.

(5) The more recent of these is "The Impact on Health of Emissions to Air from Municipal Waste Incinerators", first published by the HPA in September 2009.

(6) "Splott incinerator consultation 'not good enough,' say councillors", Hannah Waldram, Guardian Local, 6 July 2010, available online at http://www.guardian.co.uk/cardiff/2010/jul/06/splott-incinerator-viridor-environment-agency



(7) ibid.

Demonstration today at 4pm at city hall

One question in for today's council re Viridor incinerator  

1.  What steps is the Council taking to meet the requirement to carry out the BPEO (Best Practicable Environmental Option) that its policy SPG (Supplementary Planning Guidance) on siting waste facilities requires?

 Supplementary: BPEO is defined as a consultative decision making process involving the public so can we, the public in Splott/Adamsdown, require suspension of the Viridor incinerator permit until the Council has carried out proper BPEO consultation?

Join us at the Demonstration today from 4pm at city hall.