Joint approach urged on waste

FURTHER investigations are needed into the feasibility of a shared energy-from-waste plant. The results of a preliminary study reveal that savings could be made by building a plant in Jersey and shipping waste, rather than both islands adopting individual solutions.

This confirmed the expectations of the panel of inquiry report into solid waste management, which has come down against the proposed '80m. Longue Hougue incinerator.

It urged the islands to urgently investigate the joint approach if the opportunity were not to be lost.

'By working together, we have identified that there may be some savings on a joint plant,' said Environment Department minister Bernard Flouquet.

'We now both need to consult our respective board and committee to establish whether this project should be taken further and to determine whether a joint facility could be economically attractive to both Jersey and Guernsey.'

A comparison has been made between the cost of building and operating two EfW plants, one at Longue Hougue and another at Jersey's Bellozanne Valley, with the cost of building and operating a single plant at La Collette in Jersey and shipping Guernsey's solid waste to it.

Guernsey would need to build and operate a waste transfer station to compact its rubbish into special containers for shipment to Jersey. Consultants Ramboll and Babtie Fichtner carried out the study.

The former has defended criticisms by the panel of inquiry about the costing of the transfer station and shipping.

'The extent of the potential savings is unclear at the moment, but there are some possible environmental benefits in having one plant rather than two,' said Jersey Environment and Public Services Committee president Philip Ozouf.

'Both islands have to make decisions about waste within the next few months and it makes sense to look seriously at all options.

'Irrespective of whether a joint plant becomes a reality, the project has shown there are clear benefits to our islands to sharing knowledge and problem-solving.'

The department has yet to comment on the report issued three weeks ago.