SEPA revokes Scotgen energy from waste permit

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Energy from waste company Scotgen (Dumfries) Ltd has had its environmental permit revoked following “persistent non-compliance”.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued a notice of revocation to the operators of the Dargavel energy from waste plant.

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It issued the revocation because: of:

  • Persistent non-compliance with the requirements of the permit
  • Failure to comply with an enforcement notice
  • Failure to maintain financial provision and resources to comply with the requirements of the permit
  • Failure to recover energy with a high level of efficiency.

The revocation notice requires that certain steps are taken to avoid pollution and the site is returned to a satisfactory state.

Coming into effect from 23 September, Scotgen (Dumfries) are able to appeal the notice. If they do, this would mean the revocation would be set aside until the appeal has been determined allowing the plant to continue to operate until Scottish Ministers have made their decision.

SEPA technical support manager in the South West Ian Conroy said: “SEPA recognises the importance of plants like this as part of the overall mix of facilities and services that will have a role in delivering a Zero Waste Scotland.

“Since the plant came into operation, we have provided support and assistance to Scotgen (Dumfries) including affording it considerable time and opportunity to demonstrate that this facility can meet the Best Available Techniques, and the specific requirements of the European Directives designed to protect the environment. Unfortunately, despite this, it has not done so.

“The facility started operations more than four years ago, and in that time has never achieved a level of compliance which would give SEPA any degree of confidence that future operation would be any different. The facility has consistently failed to meet any reasonable expectation of environmental performance and the predicted level of energy recovery at approximately 3 per cent is particularly disappointing and unsatisfactory.

“SEPA has taken this serious and unusual action of revoking the permit following careful consideration and assessment of the regulatory options available.”