EPA supports ministerial ‘call-in’ of waste to energy plant
New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has come out in support of the Minister for the Environment ‘calling-in’ the proposal to build a waste to energy plant in Te Awamutu.
The proposal from Global Contracting Solutions would see 150,000 tonnes of rubbish being incinerated at a purpose-built plant in Racecourse Road, Te Awamutu. The rubbish, much of it trucked in from outside the district, would be used to generate electric power.
A call-in means that the proposal would be heard by a Board of Inquiry or the Environment Court rather than a Hearing Panel of independent commissioners. Waikato Regional Council and Waipā District Council’s request for a call-in is supported by Waikato-Tainui and Te Nehenehenui.
The EPA is the government agency responsible for regulating activities that affect New Zealand’s environment. In its advice to Minister Penny Simmonds, the EPA said the proposal was of national significance. It had attracted widespread public and media attention and would be a first for New Zealand, the agency said.
“There are numerous waste to energy plants in operation around the world. However, there are no waste to energy facilities incinerating the type of waste proposed by GCSL in New Zealand that have yet been authorised. While GCSL asserts that some of the technology, processes and methods that will be used are not new to New Zealand, the proposal would be one of the first of its kind in New Zealand,” the EPA said.
“Based on the information contained in the documentation provided, we consider that matters involve technology, processes, or methods that are new to New Zealand and that may affect its environment.”
The EPA has made no recommendation about whether the matter should be heard by a Board of Inquiry or the Environmental Court. If the Minister does agree to call in the proposal, she will decide how to proceed. No timeframe for a Ministerial decision has been provided.
The advice and recommendation from the EPA is available now on Council’s website