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Renewable energy target to be exceeded

Colin Broderick — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:04:58 +0000

IRELAND IS set to overshoot its target for generating 40 per cent of its electricity needs from renewable energy by 2020, Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan revealed yesterday.

Mr Ryan, addressing the National Summit on Renewable Energy at Croke Park, Dublin, said renewable energy targets were ahead of target and “about three” new interconnectors linking Ireland to the UK and France were in planning. In addition, he had recently approved a study on an undersea high voltage cable which would link offshore-wind farms to electricity grids on both sides of the Irish Sea, he revealed.

Mr Ryan was speaking as the European Commission signed off on a grant of €110 million for the development of the east-west interconnector between Deeside in Wales and Co Meath.

The European Investment Bank has also announced “soft loans” which will see up to €300 million invested in the interconnector. A further allocation of up to €200 million has been approved by the bank for development of the ESB’s renewable energy businesses, principally wind farms.

But while the Minister said Ireland was “as good as it gets, electrically” and he was in a position to offer “to the Googles of this world” clean, secure energy, he clashed with the banking industry on their support for renewable projects.

Source: IrishTimes

Gormley publishes International Review of Waste Management Policy

Colin Broderick — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:01:11 +0000

Landfill levy will increase to €30 per tonne, incineration levy will be €20-€38 per tonne; root and branch review of waste policy will benefit the environment and drive job creation, says Green Leader

Green Party Leader and Environment Minister John Gormley today launched a report underpinning a major review of waste management policy. The report commissioned by the Minister on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, examines all aspects of waste management policy, from prevention and minimisation to the management of residual waste.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister said: “I was determined that our review of waste management should be a root and branch one, and it is. The Eunomia report provides a blueprint for change. Changing the way we collect and treat our waste will benefit not just our environment, but also our economy. It will create jobs in new waste industries. It will enhance competitiveness of the wider economy as a whole. It will drive innovation which in turn will drive job creation.”

The Minister also announced increases to the landfill levy to drive waste from landfill in order to meet challenging EU targets, the first of which occurs in 2010. The levy will increase to €30 per tonne by 2010, to €50 in 2011 and to €75 in 2012. “Earlier this year the Government also decided to introduce an incineration levy. While the actual rate of the levy will need to relate to the rates of landfill levy which I have just announced I do envisage that the incineration levy will be in the range of €20 to €38 per tonne,” said the Minister.

Minister Gormley stated that he would shortly be bringing a new policy statement to Government with a view to its publication in the New Year. The Minister concluded: “The Eunomia report represents a launch pad for transforming how we deal with waste in Ireland. We now have the considered research which is the essential foundation for good and robust policy. We have the blueprint for legislative, institutional, regulatory and organisational change to achieve a wholly sustainable approach to waste management.”

The Programme for Government agreed in 2007 included a number of objectives relating to waste management among them a commitment to carry out an international review of waste management plans, practices and procedures and to act on the conclusions of such a review.
In February 2008, a procurement process was initiated to appoint consultants to undertake a comprehensive study on the waste sector, to underpin the overall review, and to cover a wide range of issues to help identify how best to proceed with further efforts to reduce waste levels, improve recycling rates and deliver equitable and cost-effective waste management solutions. Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd. (and partners) were selected to undertake the study.

The report has compiled by a group of Irish and international consultants led by Dr. Dominic Hogg of Eunomia Research and Consulting. The Minister paid tribute to the work done in compiling such a comprehensive study by Dr. Hogg and his Irish and international associates.

The Green Party

10,000 EPA orders in two years

Colin Broderick — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:37:38 +0000

A report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found its officials and local authorities issued 10,000 enforcement actions over the last two years.

The study – Focus on Environmental Enforcement in Ireland – found the EPA issued 45 legally binding directions to local authorities two years ago to meet tougher drinking water standards.

The concerns centred around poor filter operations and the lack of alert systems such as chlorine monitors.

Some 339 drinking water supplies posed a concern in 2007. Since then 83 have come off, but another 62 were added. The body said it intends to examine supplies on the Remedial Action List further over the next two years to improve drinking water standards.

Dara Lynott, EPA director, said: “Ireland’s success in implementing environmental legislation will be defined by how well Ireland responds to the challenge of providing waste, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.

“This investment needs to be matched by investment in people to operate and manage these assets.”

The EPA study also found harmful emissions from chemical plants fell almost two-thirds over the last 12 years even though production soared.

Mr Lynott said the improvements in the chemical field should be replicated in areas such as waste and water treatment.

“I think that what we’re saying is that the template that we’re using for industry needs to be replicated by local authorities,” Mr Lynott said.

“If they do that, if they invest in infrastructure and we do our job right in highlighting where the risks are, I think we will lead the type of reductions in pollutants that we’re currently seeing from industry.”

According to the report, emissions from the pharmaceutical/chemical industries fell 59 per cent between 1995 and 2007, yet production jumped 70 per cent.

Mr Lynott said regulation was not a barrier to trade and claimed the chemical sector should be seen as a blueprint for the type of industries Ireland needs to attract to meet tough emissions targets.

“A lot of that innovation in terms of green technologies is being driven by regulations,” Mr Lynott said.

IrishTimes

Wind farms break 1,000MW barrier

Colin Broderick — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:19:38 +0000

CHARLIE TAYLOR

The amount of electricity generated by Ireland’s wind farms broke the 1,000 megawatts (MW) barrier for the first time last weekend, providing enough power to supply the needs of 650,000 homes.

The very windy conditions last weekend resulted in an all-time peak wind output of 1064 MW on Saturday, generating enough power to supply the needs of 650,000 homes, according to EirGrid.

Wind output remained high throughout the day, with renewable energy at some times supplying 33 per cent of demand from electricity customers.

“This recent high level of wind generation shows the significant potential we have in Ireland to utilise this clean, green, indigenous fuel,” said Dermot Byrne, chief executive of EirGrid, the agency that operates the State’s electricity transmission system.

“Ireland has ambitious renewable energy targets and the breaking of the 1,000 MW barrier for the first time is a significant step on the road to meeting them,” he added.

Ireland is reputed to have the best general wind resource in Europe and wind farms here have a higher average output than those on the continent. Currently, there are over 90 wind farms in operation which have the capacity to supply up to a maximum of 1,161 MW at optimum conditions.

In addition, Ireland has 238 MW of capacity from hydro stations in counties Cork, Dublin, Donegal and Clare and a further 58 MW of power capacity from landfill gas.

The Government wants 15 per cent of all electricity used in the Republic to be generated from renewable sources by next year.

Source: IrishTimes

440,000 must buy septic tank licence – Gormley

Colin Broderick — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:17:07 +0000

MORE than 400,000 homeowners will be forced to buy a licence for their septic tank under new laws planned for next year.

Yesterday, Environment Minister John Gormley said he would introduce a licensing and inspection system for septic tanks, which will affect 440,000 homes across the country, mostly in rural areas.

The department has not yet decided how much a licence will cost, but in Scotland similar licences cost €82.

And some homeowners could be forced to replace their tanks if the licensing authority decides they are not working properly and pose a risk to public health.

Sources said that tanks located on waterlogged sites or with clay soil may have to be replaced at a cost of up to €4,000 per tank.

The move, which is a commitment in the Renewed Programme for Government, comes after the European Court of Justice ruled yesterday that Ireland had broken EU law for failing to enact legislation to deal with domestic wastewater from septic tanks and other treatment systems.

Pollution

Homeowners currently have a “duty of care” but, under a new licensing system, a public body — such as a local authority — will inspect tanks to ensure they are not causing pollution.

Fines of up to €5,000 or three months’ imprisonment can currently be imposed for not ensuring the wastewater is properly treated. Penalties are likely to be of a similar order under the new system.

Households not served by public sewers usually depend on septic tank systems to treat and dispose of wastewater.

A typical tank takes wastewater from a toilet, bath, kitchen and washing machine.

Heavy solids settle to the bottom where bacteria partially decompose them into sludge, and tanks are pumped to prevent overflowing.

Excess wastewater is filtered through the soil where it is absorbed. If tanks overflow or are not maintained, they can cause contamination of groundwater, rivers and streams with potentially dangerous bugs, including e-coli.

Yesterday, Mr Gormley said he would be considering the court’s judgment and introducing a licensing system.

“We know that in far too many instances septic tanks or on-site sewage treatment systems are causing pollution. The absence of a licensing and inspection system is a major weakness in our overall environmental management structures,” he said.

- Paul Melia

SOURCE: Irish Independent