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Warning over Aberthaw Power Station emissions | Warning over Aberthaw Power Station emissions |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The UK could be referred to the European Court of Justice over claims a coal fired power station in the Vale of Glamorgan is breaking emission regulations. | The UK could be referred to the European Court of Justice over claims a coal fired power station in the Vale of Glamorgan is breaking emission regulations. |
The European Commission says the Aberthaw station has not complied with nitrogen oxide gases limits since 2008. | The European Commission says the Aberthaw station has not complied with nitrogen oxide gases limits since 2008. |
The UK government has two months to respond to the commission's concerns. | The UK government has two months to respond to the commission's concerns. |
Plant operator RWE npower says new equipment will be installed at Aberthaw from next year. | Plant operator RWE npower says new equipment will be installed at Aberthaw from next year. |
Nitrogen oxides released into the environment from burning fuels have serious consequences for human health and the environment, causing respiratory illnesses, acidifying soil and surface water, and damaging vegetation. | Nitrogen oxides released into the environment from burning fuels have serious consequences for human health and the environment, causing respiratory illnesses, acidifying soil and surface water, and damaging vegetation. |
The commission said the power station near Barry, which has been operating since 1971, currently emits more than double the legal limit of gases. | The commission said the power station near Barry, which has been operating since 1971, currently emits more than double the legal limit of gases. |
Tougher regulations on power plants will be introduced in January 2016 throughout the European Union. | Tougher regulations on power plants will be introduced in January 2016 throughout the European Union. |
'Crazy to close' | 'Crazy to close' |
Aberthaw employs just under 600 full-time and contract workers and RWE claims it can supply power for around three million homes. | Aberthaw employs just under 600 full-time and contract workers and RWE claims it can supply power for around three million homes. |
It is estimated to be worth £75m to the Welsh economy each year and it is feared any threat to its running could impact on other Welsh businesses. | |
Tyrone O'Sullivan, chairman of Tower Colliery in the Cynon Valley, said a challenge to Aberthaw would be a "major threat to Tower and all the Welsh coal producers". | |
Tower's opencast mine supplies about 650,000 tonnes of coal to Aberthaw, which is three-quarters of its output, according to Mr O'Sullivan. | |
He said: "Aberthaw is a crucial part of the distribution of electricity in this country. | |
"It would be crazy to close Aberthaw on this issue. Just look at the amount of coal that is being burned around the rest of the world in countries like China." | "It would be crazy to close Aberthaw on this issue. Just look at the amount of coal that is being burned around the rest of the world in countries like China." |
RWE npower said power stations across Europe were finding market conditions "increasingly difficult". | RWE npower said power stations across Europe were finding market conditions "increasingly difficult". |
"Britain needs long-term cross-party support for both the objectives and the delivery of this country's energy policy to create the kind of market stability needed to make very large, long-term investment decisions," it added. | "Britain needs long-term cross-party support for both the objectives and the delivery of this country's energy policy to create the kind of market stability needed to make very large, long-term investment decisions," it added. |
BBC Wales environment correspondent Iolo ap Dafydd explained: "At the heart of this disagreement may be a different interpretation of the amount of nitrogen oxides which can be emitted from the Aberthaw power plant. | BBC Wales environment correspondent Iolo ap Dafydd explained: "At the heart of this disagreement may be a different interpretation of the amount of nitrogen oxides which can be emitted from the Aberthaw power plant. |
"RWE has already dealt with sulphur dioxide emissions and aims in the next four years to deal with the nitrogen emissions. | "RWE has already dealt with sulphur dioxide emissions and aims in the next four years to deal with the nitrogen emissions. |
"The question is will they be able to comply with the EU regulations soon enough?" | "The question is will they be able to comply with the EU regulations soon enough?" |