Incinerator firm concerned at Government plans to impose levies

THE company developing a controversial incinerator at Poolbeg in Dublin has expressed concern at plans by the Government to introduce legislation that it claims would impose unfair levies on operators of waste-to-energy plants.

Environment Minister John Gormley, a long-term opponent of the planned incinerator in the heart of his Dublin South-East constituency, is due to bring forward legislation during this Dáil term to extend waste management levies to include incinerators.

US firm Covanta Energy, which won the contract to construct and operate the €350 million waste-to-energy plant in Poolbeg, yesterday accused the Green Party leader of engaging in “backyard politics” over the proposed levies.