Former EPA chairman to investigate incinerator

11/8/93

Former Environmental Protection Authority chairman Colin Porter will investigate the operations of the Stephenson and Ward incinerator in Felspar Road, Welshpool.

Environment Minister Kevin Minson said today that Mr Porter had extensive experience in environmental issues.

At present Mr Porter worked as a consultant in environmental and hydraulic engineering and was a member of the Town Planning Appeals Committee.

Mr Minson said Mr Porter would be consulting with all parties involved and would report his findings - with recommendations - by September 30 this year.

He said the terms of reference for the investigation were:

·         establishing past and present operating characteristics of the incinerator and reporting the effect on local residents and workers;

·         documenting the incinerator's content and level of emissions and comparing them with national and international guidelines in similarly zoned locations;

·         evaluating the effect on local air quality;

·         recommending changes to operating procedures and equipment if the incinerator did not meet environmental standards; and - 

·         evaluating the suitability of the present and other possible locations for the operation of similar incinerators.

Media contact: Diana Callander 222 9595 or 321 2222