UK Without Incineration Network

NEWSLETTER No 1 November 2007

Thanks to all who have joined the network, membership has now risen to about 30 groups and affiliate members and we are hoping to increase this steadily throughout the year.

November 17th conference is postponed

Thanks to all who registered. However, we have postponed the conference, partly because of speaker problems and partly because the dates proved inconvenient for several members. We are looking for a new date in 2008. March 2008 is when we expect to hold the AGM so that is likely to be the best month, but we invite suggestions for dates and any host group with venue.

UK WIN committee

The members were elected at the March AGM to get the network going:

Stephen Eades: Chairman

Neil Pitcairn: Treasurer

David Levy: Fundraising

Max Wallis: Bulletin editor

Andy Tubb: Information Librarian

John Beattie is co-opted membership sec: membership@ukwin.org.uk

Garrett Reynolds was Secretary, website designer and Friends of the Earth rep. but has moved on (consultancy in software tools for energy efficiency);

Becky Slater is now Friends of the Earth representative.

Fireworks v. Incinerator Myth

We circulated material about the myth that fireworks produce more

dioxins than incinerators – a myth that stemmed from the NSCA.

Though that group (renamed Environment Protection UK) have withdrawn the statement on dioxins from London’s Millennium fireworks display, we’re seeking more prominent retraction. Thanks to Alan Watson for researching and chasing the issue. See Shlomo’s blog on the issue:

http://www.holonprojects.net/blog/?p=5

Manuka Funding Bid now in its third incarnation

Manuka [a Charitable grant-making Trust] have agreed in principle to fund us but want us to make another application. So there are further delays in recruiting a Co-ordinator (part-time; can be home-base).

Keep in touch if you or one of your contacts is interested.

Charitable Status Application

We have applied to the Charity Commission for Charitable status, to widen our prospects for external funding.

Allington/Kent Incinerator fiasco

You may have enjoyed the news about the Allington Incinerator – a good example of the risk in following a waste incineration option.

The incinerator has been out of action since June as the furnace lining failed to cope with the heat. The earliest it is expected to reopen is next spring. The 5,000 tonnes of rubbish that was waiting to be burned had to be landfilled.

www.kentonline.co.uk/news/default.asp?article_id=34890&startrecord=-1

The letter Enviropower sent to residents can be read here:

http://www.kentenviropower.co.uk/data/downloads/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Allington%20residents%20lt%20sept%2007.pdf (you might need to cut and paste this into your browser)

Veolia’s Newhaven Incinerator – cost doubles

A second example of risk in choosing incineration – useful to bring to the attention of misled local authorities.

Since the 25 year contract for the incinerator at Newhaven was signed in 2003, the cost of the project has more than doubled to £145.7

million, and the project is already two years behind schedule.

According to the local press, the contractor Veolia claimed the waste contract was no longer profitable and threatened to walk away.

Under the contract waste contractor Veolia is liable for all increased construction costs. Despite this, at secret meetings, Brighton & Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council agreed to help Veolia out, by extending the life of the contract from 25 to 30 years (equal to an extra £35 million in income). The local press reports also that the Councils had promised Veolia a blank cheque for any legal costs if the changed plans were challenged.

Secret papers regarding the scheme were leaked to Lib-Dem Norman Baker MP, who was criticised for releasing ‘confidential’

information. However, under the Environmental Information Regulations, this information should all be disclosed, according to

the ‘public interest’ test.

Further information from:

http://www.theargus.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1720827.mostviewed.incinerators_cost_doubles.php

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1742983.0.councils_under_scrutiny_over_waste_contract.php

Ultrafine PM in Rachel’s

The deadliest air pollution is not being regulated, namely, the smallest particles of airborne soot known as “ultrafines”, from diesel engines, garbage incinerators etc. The July issue of Rachel’s News has an informative and authoritative article at:

http://www.precaution.org/lib/07/ht070712.htm

Note it points out that higher levels of PM2.5 may even be advantageous, as the ultrafines stick to and are mopped up by them.

FOE Resources on Campaigning against incinerators

Concerned about a local incinerator plan? Turn for resources at http://community.foe.co.uk/campaigns/waste/incineration/index.html

Understanding the planning system is essential to running an anti- incinerator campaign – it’s the best way to get your voice heard and have an influence on the decisions being made. Many useful resources to help you get involved in the right way and at the right stage of planning applications can be found (including the Community Rights Resource Pack) can be found at www.YourPlanningRights.co.uk

Although the system may seem arcane and intimidating, don’t be put off by the complexity. Be aware that is important to respond to planning applications within 21 days and to support your letter of objection with relevant planning policies.

Use your right to know

with the online Information Request Generator

to help you get information from the powers that be, using the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Environmental Law Advice-line

Friends of the Earth’s Rights and Justice Centre runs a free advice line to help people with environmental law matters. The Advice Line is available on Freephone 0808 801 0405. Lines are open on Wednesdays 6.30 – 8.30 pm.

It aims to help people understand their rights and use the law to defend and improve their local environment and is staffed by Friends of the Earth’s legal staff and by volunteer lawyers. Individuals who contact the advice line will be given preliminary advice. Cases will then be either taken up by the Rights and Justice Centre or passed onto an organisation that can help.

Updated Briefings from Friends of the Earth

Up in Smoke – why Friends of the Earth opposes incineration

Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme – how LATS works and the best way for councils to meet these targets, both financially and environmentally

Dirty Truths – the climate impacts of energy from waste and residual waste treatment:

Recycling – why its important and how to do it

Food waste collections

Items for Bulletin

Please send your news and contributions to max.wallis@ukwin.org.uk.

This e-bulletin is to keep you informed about our progress and to invite you to interact and contribute to UK WIN activities.

Our Website is soon to go Public

Now open for contributions via websitecontent@ukwin.org.uk