Permitting, BREF and best practice

Permitting, BREF and best practice

Matt Hindle, ADBA Training and Safety WG20 November 2013

EA concerned about incidents

5.21.61.31.20.80.70.60.40.30.2000

Number of serious pollution incidents per 100 permits from regulated industry in England, 2012

Total

Per 100 permits

46311165861161000

EA concerned about incidents

What’s going on?

EA/Defra leading a number of actions...• Biowaste Regulatory Forum convened• EA Technical Guidance due to be published shortly• BREF process underway

... but keen to see industry take a lead too• Using Practical Guide to AD• Supporting ADBA best practice scheme• Want to see other proactive work

Technical Guidance

What is it?• EA guidance to officers and operators on permit compliance• Suggests ‘indicative’ BAT, but other techniques allowed• Will inform EA approach to BREF process

When will it come in?• First draft published last year, significant issues raised• ADBA commented on second draft in September• Final publication expected shortly

BREF process

What is it?• Revision of European Waste Treatment BREF• Crosses technologies/techniques

How do we influence?• Through EA/UK government• Through European Biogas Association• Directly to the Commission

Final draft/implementation from late 2015/early 2016

BREF process: timetable

End 2014

New draft produced Comments on draft

March 2014

Questionnaire releasedJanuary 2014

Opinions on questionnaire to operators

List of operators willing to participate

November 2013

Kick off meeting, Seville Gathering initial comments

BREF – immediate actions

Operators• We need opinions/evidence on the existing proposals,

especially following the Seville meeting• Need operators to volunteer to fill in the questionnaire

Biofilters• Identified as a particular evidence gap• ESA leading a piece of work on MBT sites• Need to ensure AD operators represented too

Keeping track

Other issuesFIT degression• Joint industry campaign underway• Looking to raise profile through MPs• Gathering evidence of projects affected

RHI• Government response expected by end November• Should include news on support above 200kWth• Full review in 2014

PAS110• Full consultation document to be released in next few weeks