Latest News

Impact of the IED on Large Combustion Plants

Posted 02/01/2013

As reported here a number of months ago the Industrial Emissions Directive will revise and merge seven existing Directives, one of which is the Large Combustion Plants (LCP) Directive (2001/80/EC). LCP are those combustion plants with a rated thermal input ≥ 50 MW. Below is a summary of the main implications of the IED for LCP.

EPA issues Drinking Water Report – Lead Piping Still an Issue

Posted 12/12/2012

The EPA has issued its 2011 Drinking Water report. The main conclusions/recommendations are:

Public Drinking Water Supply under the direct control of Water Services Authorities

EEA issues Climate Change Report for Europe

Posted 23/11/2012

On November 21^st the Copenhagen based European Environment Agency released a major indicators based report on the current and predicted impact of climate change on EU countries. Some of the main conclusions are:

Ireland's Climate Change Targets

Posted 19/11/2012

Ireland has 2 main targets related to the reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, the Kyoto Protocol and EU 2020.

With regard to Kyoto, Ireland committed to reducing, by 2012, emissions to 13% above those in 1990. It appears that we will meet this commitment through a combination of the recession and the closure of many companies with a very large energy footprint such as IFI, Waterford Crystal and Irish Steel.

Tougher EIA Requirements On The Way

Posted 02/10/2012

As we reported in April 2012, Ireland has been under pressure for some years to fully implement the provisions of the EIA Directive.

A European Court of Justice Decision stated that the provisions of Irish planning legislation under the Planning and Development Act 2000 ‘are different from that, imposed by Article 3 of Directive 85/337 on the competent authority, of carrying out full environmental impact assessment’.

POPs Plan Launched by EPA

Posted 27/09/2012

The Independent Closure Audit

Posted 07/09/2012

In the current economic climate facility closures are unfortunately a fact of life. For IPPC and Waste licensed sites the EPA has further developed its policy regarding the process of surrendering licenses.

New Waste Policy Launched

Posted 04/09/2012

In March 2012 Environet reported on the draft waste management policy from the Department of the Environment. It included plans to change how household waste is regulated.

Rio+20 Summit – Any Outcomes?

Posted 03/09/2012

Latest Bathing Water Quality Data

Posted 02/07/2012

While we wait for summer to arrive, readers may be interested in an on-line resource for bathing water quality in Ireland. http://www.bathingwater.ie/epa/home.htm contains data on bathing water quality for 136 designated bathing waters around the country. Historical and current data sets are available and while most are of acceptable quality its also the case that some locations are cleaner than others!