Prenergy biomass plant changes 'pose no threat to air quality'

Proposed changes to Prenergy's biomass plant in Port Talbot do not pose a threat to the area's air quality, it has been confirmed.

Environment Agency Wales has said it is likely to approve alterations to the environmental permit for the power station as an investigation revealed that they will not put local people or the town's atmosphere at risk.

Prenergy requested to increase emission limits for nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride for their planned wood burning site.

Environment Agency Wales' Mary Youell said she is "confident" the high levels of air quality will continue to be met despite the alterations.

"If we thought these changes would compromise air quality standards or the communities we protect, we would not be considering accepting them," she stated.

This comes after Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council's planning committee chairman Stan Mason expressed his concern to the South Wales Evening Post last week that the 350,000 tonnes of contaminated wood to be produced by the plant each year could reduce the air quality of the area.

Posted by Lauren Steadman