EPA Integrated Pollution Prevention Control
(IPPC)Licence
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet (as of April
2010) even received an application for an IPPC Licence from Shannon
LNG.
Development consent in Ireland is divided up into permission from An
Bord Plean�la (dealing with non-pollution aspects of development
consent) and the EPA (which deals with the pollution aspects of
development consent).
Whereas An Bord Plean�la considers alternative sites, the EPA is not
allowed to do so in comparing less-polluting alternatives. This
regulatory gap leads to the weak leadership of the EPA rubber-stamping
IPPC licences to pollute and this is highlighted by the disregard
Shannon LNG has had so far for pollution evaluation in that it has not
yet applied for an IPPC licence and seems to be taking this particular
licence as a foregone conclusion.
However, Dr. Mary Kelly, the director general of the EPA was quoted in
the 'Irish Times' newspaper on October 9th 2008 as stating:
"Strategic Environmental Assessments
(SEAs) would have to be imposed on all major projects, while the State
must comply with EU environmental legislation".
Given that the EU Commission has found in January 2010 that an SEA
should have been undertaken for the Shannon LNG project, it will be
interesting to see if Dr. Kelly will stand by her statement of October
2008, or if she will fold under the political pressure of big business and
no longer request an SEA for this "major project".
Visit www.epa.ie for
more information
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