Biomass plant campaigners reject "community benefits"
Any attempt by Forth Energy to sugar-coat their Dundee biomass proposal through offers of "community benefits" is doomed to failure, campaigners against the energy plant have said.
An artist's impression of how the Dundee biomass plant will look, if approved.
- By Bruce Robbins
- Published in the Courier : 02.07.10
- Published online : 02.07.10 @ 12.12pm
RATTs' spokesman Brian Duncan said nothing the company could offer by way of an inducement could overcome the group's main concerns of air pollution and contamination.
In a recent report following a meeting with key stakeholders, Forth Energy said there was no precedent in Department of Energy and Climate Change consents for "community benefit packages" in regard to sustainable energy proposals but the company was "willing to discuss" the issue.
Forth Energy was asked by The Courier to expand on the kind of benefits it might be willing to look at but would only say, "Forth Energy is exploring additional community benefit opportunities and this is something that has been raised during the community consultation process and we will continue to investigate as part of the project development processes."
Mr Duncan, a founder member of Residents Against Tay Turbines, said what the company might be prepared to consider was immaterial as he believed the risks the group associated with the biomass plant outweighed any potential benefits.
He said, "It's the whole sum and substance of the biomass plant that we object to and Forth Energy will not be able to buy off the population.
"We haven't had any discussions about community benefits and I don't think there will be any discussions either. It's not something that's on the table.
"Our concerns are about contamination of the air and atmosphere from emissions coming from the biomass plant.
"The quality of air our children are going to have to live with is more important than anything that Forth Energy might want to offer."
RATTs have in the past claimed Dundee people are being "hoodwinked" into believing the biomass plant will be eco-friendly when they say it will have a detrimental effect, citing the fact it will operate under a waste incineration licence.
Forth Energy has rejected air quality concerns and says emissions would have "no significant effects."
The company said, "Forth Energy's proposals will provide clear local economic benefits for Dundee, such as 40 operational jobs and around 300 construction jobs over the three-year construction period, plus jobs within the port of Dundee unloading the fuels and other potential contracting opportunities in the local area.
"What we are aware of is that Scottish Enterprise has recently undertaken a study which shortlists the Port of Dundee as a potential site for a support centre for the offshore renewables industry.
"This would provide a significant level of manufacturing jobs in the renewables industry in Dundee.
"We believe that site selection process for a potential renewable manufacturing support centre is likely to take into account, as one of the selection criteria, the availability of renewable energy on site to be used in the processes that will be required."
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