Alcan to spend millions to meet pollution guidelines

Jun 11 2010 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A DECISION by Northumberland’s largest private employer to spend millions of pounds ensuring it meets European pollution guidelines has been met with widespread approval.

In April the European Court of Justice ordered Rio Tinto Alcan to cut emissions from its coal-fired power station or face the threat of closure with the possible loss of 650 jobs at its Lynemouth site.

Last night, Alcan announced it was intending to comply with the judgement by joining the National Emissions Reduction Plan (NERP) which will see it purchase sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) credits.

Ian Lavery MP for Wansbeck welcomed the move. “This is good news for the workers and the community,” he said.

“Alcan has taken appropriate action to stave off any potential redundancies in the short term. I will be meeting with them shortly to discuss the issues they face in ensuring they make the compliance targets over the long term.”

The coal-fired power station, which fuels the neighbouring Lynemouth aluminium smelter, emits 7,500 tonnes of NOx and 18,000 tonnes of SO2 a year.

Emissions from such plants in the European Community are governed by the Large Combustion Plants Directive (LCPD) which says the plant should emit only 5,300 tonnes of NOx and 4,200 tonnes of SO2.