Further memorandum submitted by Calor
Gas Ltd (AQ 28)
On 26th January 2010, the Committee was sent
a submission on behalf of Calor Gas Ltd calling attention to the
extra mortality to be inflicted on the UK as a result of the biomass
strategy.
THE SUMMARY
READ AS
FOLLOWS:
"The UK renewables strategy is over-reliant
on a mass switch to biomass combustion. The air quality damage
in terms of an increase in particulate emissions has been costed
by Government at potentially £557 million as a result
of premature death: in 2020 - one year alone—up to
1,175,000 life years will be lost. The corresponding impact
of increased morbidity (disease) has not yet been measured by
Government. The combustion of wood in large quantities will lead
to rises in the emissions of most of the other pollutants meant
to be addressed by the Air Quality Strategy, and in other dangerous
pollutants not targeted by the Strategy. The cost of these emissions
in terms of human health and the environment should be known,
and thrown into an ultimate judgement of the viability of the
policy."
Since then early this month HMG has issued a
Consultation on the Renewable Heat Incentive, which at pages 34/5 indicates
that HMG is minded to increase the allowable particulate emissions
by 50%: "In the Renewable Energy Strategy we said that we
would work with industry and other key stakeholders to introduce
emissions performance standards for biomass boilers which are
not adequately covered by other legislation. At the time we considered
possible maximum emissions levels of 20g/GJ for particulate matter
(PM), and 50g/GJ for nitrogen oxides (NOX). We have now reviewed
these limits in consultation with stakeholders and on the basis
of research commissioned by Defra, which suggests that they would
rule out most currently produced biomass boilers. We are now minded
to consider maximum emissions standards for biomass boilers of
30g/GJ for PM and 150g/GJ for NOX, at least in the initial implementation
of the RHI. Defra is undertaking further consideration of the
potential impact of these revised emissions standards on air quality,
and in terms of health costs."
Presumably, the health costs and loss of life
years will need to be drastically uprated. This gives the submission
by Calor Gas much added force and urgency, and I hope the Committee
will look into this aspect of policy because of the damage that
will be inflicted otherwise on human hearts, lungs and brains.
5 February 2010
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