The Aughinish Alumina plant at Askeaton in Co Limerick is objecting to new demands by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to put in place tougher environmental controls at the plant.
This follows the Swiss-owned company formally objecting to a number of conditions contained in the revised Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) draft licence for the plant.
The original licence was granted by the EPA in 1998 amidst protests from local and environmental groups concerned that the licence was issued before a final report on animal deaths in the Askeaton area in the early 1990s was completed.
A subsequent report by the EPA found that industrial pollution had nothing to do with the animal health problems, although a separate independent report commissioned by the IFA stated that industrial pollution could not be ruled out. Now, as part of the revised licence, the EPA is demanding that the company reduce the nitrogen dioxide emissions, responsible for acid rain, at the biggest industrial plant in the State.
However, in response, the plant's environmental co-ordinator, Mr Liam Fleming, has told the EPA that major capital investment would be required to comply with such a condition. He also points out that the imminent arrival of Combined Heat Power (CHP) at the plant "will render the boilers partially redundant and reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions significantly". Aughinish is to have the €100 million CHP plant working by the end of next year which should provide significant environmental benefits.
The company has also lodged objections to a number of other conditions contained in the draft licence aimed at stricter environmental controls at Aughinish.
The EPA is demanding a reduction in alumina dust emissions at the plant, however Aughinish is requesting that the proposed reductions be deferred until 2005.
The EPA has also demanded that Aughinish put in place a programme for monitoring airborne dust around the site. However, Aughinish state the requirement to carry out the monitoring would pose a high cost that is likely to provide very little additional useful information. The company is also objecting to a condition to hold meetings with the local community at least once a year.
Member of the Askeaton and Ballysteen Animal Health Committee, Cllr David Naughton (FG) yesterday urged the EPA to "stand firm and uphold the conditions in the draft licence".
The Animal Health Committee lodged a submission with the EPA on the licence review. A final decision on the licence is due to be made next month by the EPA.
