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Good piece by @PaddyWoodworth on @BordnaMona plans to rehabilitate c.40% of its landholding.
One important point for the record: BNM wanted to continue extracting peat long beyond 2027. Advocacy & legal action shaved off *decades* not years. Thread
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/bord-na-móna-s-big-shift-how-the-peat-giant-pivoted-to-bog-restoration-1.4438767?mode=amp
One important point for the record: BNM wanted to continue extracting peat long beyond 2027. Advocacy & legal action shaved off *decades* not years. Thread
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/bord-na-móna-s-big-shift-how-the-peat-giant-pivoted-to-bog-restoration-1.4438767?mode=amp
In 2013, a BNM executive presented the slide below (i.e. sufficient peat supply until c.2053).
I asked at the time: presumably BNM intends to stop extracting long before 2053?
Reply: BNM intends to keep extracting as long as it is economically viable.
I asked at the time: presumably BNM intends to stop extracting long before 2053?
Reply: BNM intends to keep extracting as long as it is economically viable.
The next month, BNM got planning permission from Offaly Co Co to operate Edenderry as a peat-and-biomass power plant until 2030 (pic1)
Appeals and court action by @FIEIRELAND and @AnTaisce shaved off 7 years, with permission ultimately granted by An Bord Pleanála to 2023 (pic2)
Appeals and court action by @FIEIRELAND and @AnTaisce shaved off 7 years, with permission ultimately granted by An Bord Pleanála to 2023 (pic2)
When planning was sought for West Offaly power plant in 2019, @FIEIRELAND @AnTaisce @SweetmanPeter & others appeared at ABP’s oral hearing. It was refused permission.
Govt expressed disappointment. But the Lough Ree application was then withdrawn too. https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2019/0723/1064688-shannonbridge-power-station/
Govt expressed disappointment
. But the Lough Ree application was then withdrawn too. https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2019/0723/1064688-shannonbridge-power-station/
Note: while BNM has committed to ending peat extraction for electricity generation, c.45% of its landholding is not covered by its rehabilitation plans and it is *currently* pursuing permissions to enable it to keep extracting peat for other purposes.
This from BNM’s *May 2020* application to ABP for substitute consent makes its (then) future plans clear. This was just before the PfG was agreed.
Has BNM since abandoned these plans? Not publicly & its applications remain live.
Has BNM since abandoned these plans? Not publicly & its applications remain live.
Aside: I don’t think my telling of the history was or is “partisan”. If anyone ( @bordnamona or otherwise) would like to challenge any of the facts presented, please do.
I’m certainly in favour of the rule of law and urgent action on the climate and biodiversity emergency. https://twitter.com/andrewlrjackson/status/1331606621844369408
I’m certainly in favour of the rule of law and urgent action on the climate and biodiversity emergency. https://twitter.com/andrewlrjackson/status/1331606621844369408
Finally: thanks Catherine - means a lot. Certainly one of the most important issues I’ve worked on.
A lot still to be done, including - vitally - ensuring a just transition for all affected workers as we urgently decarbonise. https://twitter.com/seewilkie/status/1347268596402106368
A lot still to be done, including - vitally - ensuring a just transition for all affected workers as we urgently decarbonise. https://twitter.com/seewilkie/status/1347268596402106368
And for the record, here is @EamonRyan’s welcome clarification in reply to my questions about the BNM rehab scheme and whether the € announced might e.g. be spent in part on decommissioning the power stations, etc.
