Environment Agency Wales Update Castle Cement

Padeswood Circa 1870

One would be forgiven for asking why Castle Cement (previous Tunnel Cement) would be allowed by planners to build a cement works in the middle of green countryside. If you click on the map you will see various industries that were present in the 1860's. The atmosphere and environment in Padeswood must have been truly awful.

A sizeable oil industry developed in the 1860's in Leeswood, Coed Talon and Padeswood. Crude oil was distilled from cannel coal and shale. In 1868 there were 22 oil companies around the Mold area.

With the opening of vast oil fields in the USA our local oil industry collapsed after 1870.

On the map are Coppa Colliery, North Wales Coal and Gas Works, Coppa Oil Works and Mold Valley Oil Works.

Coloured Lettering displays are dated as of 2007.

MBM Incineration

Click here.

As an additional safety measure, the MBM incinerated by Fibrogen does not contain any traces of spinal cord (the part of the cattle that could be infected).’ (Will our's?)

It added ‘Fibrogen have a number of very strict safety procedures in place to ensure that the ash is transported and disposed of in a safe manner. When the ash is transported to and from the plant, it is in sealed, airtight containers. It is then incinerated at 1200 degrees centigrade. The ash that remains is then transported, in sealed containers, to the landfill site where it is put into an airtight silo and covered with water to prevent any spread. It is then put into the landfill site and immediately covered with other material.’

They also noted that ‘Fibrogen regularly send samples of the ash for testing and those from the chimney beat the standards for emissions set by the environment agency. Fibrogen are currently looking at improving the standards in relation to the ash at the bottom of the grate, this is in accordance with new standards set by the European Union’.

Finally, it concluded, ‘any risk associated with the process of incinerating MBM at Glanford is less than one in 100 billion’.

Pretty long odds then by any standards. Even so, what matters is the perception of risks, and for many people it seems, statistical estimates are less convincing than what looks like real and present dangers. For good or ill then, the MBM issue goes to show yet again just how unpopular combustion is as a way of dealing with wastes of whatever kind. Maybe the technology can be improved. Certainly it must be if we are to continue with waste combustion. But, in an very competitive energy market, there is always the fear that, despite regulatory controls, corners will be cut, and errors made. In which case, given the post -BSE sensitivity of the public to health risks, the prospects for waste combustion of any type look grim.

The implications for waste strategy are clear, and might be positive if emphasis is placed instead on source reduction and recycling. But let's hope that the abandonment of municipal waste combustion and the doubts about MBM does not also undermine the UK’s green power programme.

Colin Bithell's CC Favourite Subject

Emissions from Chimneys.

Arsenic in Poultry Litter Incinerator Click here.
One of the most basic principles of incineration is that what goes in, must come out. There is no alchemy going on, so if there are toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury or arsenic going in one end, they must come out in the form of toxic ash and toxic air emissions.

Copper, iron and zinc are a particular hazard when placed in an incinerator, since they serve as catalysts for dioxin formation.
Campaign. Click here.
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Incinerators can be stopped.

• In 2005, after years of opposition, the Fibroned project in the Netherlands was stopped when the project's permit was rejected for the second time.
• In 2002, opposition to Fibrowatt's proposed "Fibromiss" incinerator in Magee, MS caused the company to leave town and try locating elsewhere in the county (Mendenhall, MS), where they have been opposed by local residents.
• Green Delaware, a grassroots environmental group in Delaware state has led the effort to ban incineration statewide in 2000, forcing Fibrowatt and other poultry waste incinerator promoters to move their plans outside of the state.
• Carl Strickler, a key player in Fibrowatt's U.S. operation (and Vice-President of the Fibrominn project) was defeated in 1998 when his previous company (Reading Energy) was kicked out of Morrisville, Pennsylvania - a small community outside of Philadelphia - when they tried to build a wood waste incinerator there in 1997.
• -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Incinerate Meat Bone South England Click here

Application to Burn waste here (PDF) Click here
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Green Peace - Click here

"Any politician who ignores the groundswell of public support for waste elimination initiatives should be reminded that Parliamentary seats are being lost on the issue of incineration, and councils changed control in Sheffield, Hull and Kidderminster as voters reject this polluting technology. Anti-incineration protests could very well make the road protests look like a dress rehearsal, as the ongoing occupation of the Basingstoke site shows. "

Anti-incineration links

England:
Defenders of the Oust Valley (DOVE)
Capel Action Group
Guildford Against Incineration
Redhill Incinerator
Basingstoke Burner Action Group
Stop Kidderminster Incinerator
RABID (Sheffield)
Sheffield Against Incineration
Byker & Newcastle Waste Group

Ireland:
No Incineration Alliance

Scotland:
Aberdeen No Incinerator Group

Wales:
Stop the Incinerator Campaign (Swansea)
Campaign Against the New Kiln (Many links to other groups )

Sources for international information:
Global Anti-Incineration Alliance

Sources for European information:
No Incinerators for Europe (Many links to other groups )

Implementation of European Council Directive 2000/76/EC on the Incineration of Waste
Click here.

Friends of The Earth - Chemical Release Inventory. Click here.

Airborne Cement Fallout Detector in middle of Penyffordd

Local Resident wheeled out by Castle Cement

In The Chronicle a local Padeswood resident ex Castle Cement worker criticizes local councilors for having a go at Castle Cement. He's possibly too close to the works to be threatened by stack fallout.

Our councilors are rightly concerned with the waste substances that Castle Cement, Flintshire County Council, The Welsh Assembly, Heidleberg and The EU want getting rid of.

I think household waste is on the agenda. The problem with household waste is that at present it is not screened and it will contain such nasties as mercury, cadmium or whatever. Does incineration totally destroy these materials?

Further investigation shortly

A Photo of Castle Cement from Hope Mountain

CLICK IMAGE

Castle Cement taken from Hope Mountain.
The smoke in the back ground is coming from Corus in Shotton.
At the time the picture was taken there were no emissions coming from the stack.
The EU, Welsh Assembly Government, Heidleberg and Flintshire County Council want (need) Castle Cement's ability to burn waste. I think there are plans afoot to burn domestic waste. I intend to do a survey and article on industrial incinerators. I seem to remember that Castle's facility runs under less strict rules with regards to emissions.

Castle Cement

Perhaps Castle Cement would gain more acceptance within the village if their top management moved into the middle of the village with their families. I'm sure we would all feel a lot safer. Well, that is those of us who feel concerned.

A Telling off by Councilors

I have been taken to task for saying that Colin Bithell's cry for the shutting down of Castle Cement is a political soundbite. They may have a point. but...
The Welsh Assembly and The EU want Industrial Incinerators. The David and Goliath scenario will not happen.
Mean while I see young children on cycles and anxious parents outside my house. The speeding traffic needs stopping..................... that needs to include the village idiots who are many.
Compulsory 20 mph is required NOW!

Although not enamored with Castle Cement, I hope to be level and not use the blog to bash Castle over the head at every opportunity.

I am accused of snide remarks, I'd prefer the word pointed barb. A look through my blog which is not fully labeled will show criticism of of all those failing to to stop or report the 2000 daily speeders in Chester Rd. These include The Chief Constable, Flintshire County Council Executives, County Councilors, Community Councilors, Arrive Alive, The Chester Chronicle. I even have a go at myself sometimes :)

Penyffordd lags well behind most places I visit on a daily basis with regards to traffic calming. Why is this so?

Castle Cement Boss Hits back at critics

In The Evening Leader today. The dead tree version that pays the wages. Mark Cox, Works General manager says "people are intent to castigate the site at every opportunity to further their own aims."
Perhaps he means keeping a high profile for next years elections (my words)
Mark points out that contrary to the general view, the fire did not happen in the tower but was sucked up by a tunnel effect.
Little environmental impact took place.
The company had an on going program to reduce fugitive dust.
He said he will continue to work closely with The Environment Agency and people of Penyffordd and surrounding areas.

Local Resident catches Castle Cement Fire on Video

Colin Bithell on Kiln Fire

In The Evening Leader.
Penyffordd Councillor Colin Bithell said: "It's yet another worry for the area.
"With £60 million of investment, we would have expected the long-term problems we have been having would have ceased or at least calmed down by now, such as emissions coming from it.
"We are concerned we have lost confidence in both the company and the Environment Agency in not being able to protect us and this sort of incident again today is of immense worry to us. How much more of this do we have to put up with?"

The Environment Agency confirmed the threat to the environment had been minimised and once its investigation is complete they would consider any possible enforcement notice.

And here on the BBC Website

Mark Tami MP and Carl Sargeant AM to meet Castle Cement later on in the month.

Castle Cement Fire

Yours Truly.

Click here.

Added Links for Ian
Cank
Emmission Watch

Penyffordd Community Council Monthly Meeting June 2007

Meeting started prompt because England are playing Estonia after the meeting. That is after Lisa informed The Committee that Linda Vidamour would not be attending and that a letter should have been seen by The Clerk.....

Speeding discussed, proposed action by Flintshire County Council to limit speeding still in the planning stage. Arnold Wooley gave a presentation with regards Castle Cement and a proposed action against Castle Cement for Public Nuisance. Arnold was there as a private citizen. Linda Vidamour's proposal was postponed till the next month.

Pc Ian Millington asks The Clerk whether he can email some detail. The clerk asks if he can fax them. The clerk's last fax to Ian 3 weeks ago appears not to arrived.............................

PC Ian Millington our Beat Manager is leaving Penyffordd to another part of the Police Force. Good luck Ian.

Castle Cement stop valeting.

Castle Cement Website Quote
"but the kiln will operate to the very highest levels of environmental control and performance."



Lisa rang Castle Cement Last Friday (13th) after reading in The Chronicle about valeting cars affected by their recent massive fall outs.
Richard Davidson of Castle rang Tuesday.
Very nice but the valeting has ran out, they are not doing any more free ones
He could recommend the valeters though.
Pictured our dark blue car after the recent download.

Castle Cement in the News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/6541015.stm

The BBC says
"At last week's meeting of Penyffordd Community Council, chairman Colin Bithell, who lives near the plant, called for the site to be closed."

It was of course Edwina Davies who said this.

Castle Cement's Emission Statement

Click Here.

Our cars have had little cement dust on them for quite some time. The last 3 weeks has seen dust on the cars.