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| An artist's impression of the finished facility |
Waste plant gets £122 million cash go-ahead
Staffordshire's drive to maximise recycling and then generate energy from the left over household waste has been given a massive boost.
The Government has given Staffordshire funding approval for its household waste management programme - to the tune of £122.4 million.
The cash is earmarked to build a state-of-the-art energy from waste plant, which the county council plans to develop at Four Ashes Industrial Estate in the south of the county.
The energy from waste plant is a key element in Staffordshire Zero Waste to Landfill policy, which aims to tackle the rising environmental and economic costs of landfill by ensuring maximum value is extracted from the residual waste left over after recycling.
The project will divert 300,000 tonnes of waste from landfill and produce enough electricity to power 24,000 homes.
The Government was impressed by Staffordshire's proposals to tackle the growing waste mountain - which helped it make the significant award decision in record time.
Staffordshire's complete approach impressed the Government, focusing clearly on the full hierarchy of waste minimisation, recycling and then diversion away from landfill.
Waste Minister Joan Ruddock said Staffordshire's approach would contribute significantly towards the UK's landfill reduction target and in tackling climate change too. She also praised the partnership approach Staffordshire was taking.
"PFI agreements like this provide an incentive for local authorities and industry to work together to reduce the environmental impact of waste. I am pleased to see the authority pursuing an ambitious solution which can achieve major carbon benefits," she said.
The Government made particular reference to climate change impacts, noting that Staffordshire's scheme has the potential to deliver estimated net carbon savings of 47,000 tonnes in 2019/20 compared with the current waste management situation.
And with the Staffordshire team working to try to deliver combined heat and power from the operation, creating heating water as well as generating electricity, then the net carbon savings would increase to 56,000 tonnes.
Staffordshire County Council Leader John Taylor said:"This cash means we can deliver the maximum benefits for the people of Staffordshire with the minimum possible costs to the council tax payer. We can maximise recycling, reduce unpopular landfill operations and generate energy.
"The Staffordshire approach has involved being open, honest and upfront about the solutions at every stage and working in partnership to deliver the maximum value for Staffordshire people.
"This has been recognised by the Government with what is a major grant. This is a real Staffordshire success story," he said.
Plans for the Waste to Energy plant at Four Ashes have been lodged with the planning authority and will be open to comment until the end of the summer.
In the meantime the council will continue to keep local residents and communities updated on the development of this vitally important project.
Anyone who wants further information on the proposals should visit a dedicated website at www.staffsprojectw2r.info or ring the information line on 0845 3004430.
Page Last Modified:
06/08/2008 13:07:34
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