Scottish authorities investigating dust from Markinch biomass plant
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has launched an investigation after it received “a number of complaints” about dust from residents near RWE’s waste wood biomass plant in Markinch, Fife, according to LetsRecycle.
The agency said that samples from the area concluded wood dust was present in an initial investigation.
The investigation is continuing - and SEPA said it had uncovered instances of non-compliance during an on-site inspection.
The spokesperson commented: “Recommendations were made to reduce dust generation. We continue to urge anyone concerned about dust or other pollution to contact SEPA.
"People can report 24 hours a day, seven days a week online at www.sepa.org.uk/report or by calling the SEPA Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”
RWE is the biggest waste wood-fuelled plant in Scotland, and began operation in 2015.
It blamed dust issues to incoming fuel deliveries during hot weather, and said it is obliged to comply with SEPA's Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Permit regulations.
The spokesperson said: “The Permit includes strict limits regarding emissions and dust. Particulate emissions from the plant are continuously monitored, and are typically up to 20 times lower than the daily average limit in the PPC permit.
“However due to recent long hot dry periods there has been some localised dust associated with incoming fuel deliveries, and we have been in contact with SEPA regarding this issue. To mitigate this issue strict dust management measures are implemented on site at all times. These include dust extraction systems, atomised water and fine mist sprays along with regular monitoring and cleaning of the site.”
The agency said that samples from the area concluded wood dust was present in an initial investigation.
The investigation is continuing - and SEPA said it had uncovered instances of non-compliance during an on-site inspection.
The spokesperson commented: “Recommendations were made to reduce dust generation. We continue to urge anyone concerned about dust or other pollution to contact SEPA.
"People can report 24 hours a day, seven days a week online at www.sepa.org.uk/report or by calling the SEPA Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”
RWE is the biggest waste wood-fuelled plant in Scotland, and began operation in 2015.
It blamed dust issues to incoming fuel deliveries during hot weather, and said it is obliged to comply with SEPA's Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Permit regulations.
The spokesperson said: “The Permit includes strict limits regarding emissions and dust. Particulate emissions from the plant are continuously monitored, and are typically up to 20 times lower than the daily average limit in the PPC permit.
“However due to recent long hot dry periods there has been some localised dust associated with incoming fuel deliveries, and we have been in contact with SEPA regarding this issue. To mitigate this issue strict dust management measures are implemented on site at all times. These include dust extraction systems, atomised water and fine mist sprays along with regular monitoring and cleaning of the site.”
