16/06/10
The government's welcome commitment to anaerobic digestion should include making the most of water industry experience and assets.
Yesterday's speech by the environment secretary was designed to underline her government's commitment to be the greenest ever.
At the heart of the new strategy is determination to reduce the volume of recyclable and biodegradeable material going to landfill.
Water UK is pleased that anaerobic digestion is seen as a core green technology that should play a bigger part in national strategy for productive use of resources.
In 'Waste - new thinking for a new economy' Caroline Spelman, Defra Secretary of State, said that we must use the waste we do produce as valuable raw material. "To do this, we need to start thinking now about our future infrastructure needs, including greatly increasing our anaerobic digestion capacity."
Ms Spelman will support local authorities with PFI programmes to modernise recovery and disposal facilities.
But with resources stretched in every part of government, and council tax-payers under pressure, the government will surely want to make the most of existing experience and assets.
Barrie Clarke, Water UK Director of Communication, said:
"Water and sewerage companies have been using anaerobic digestion for many years and operate facilities worth hundreds of millions of pounds. They have the know-how and assets to make a significant contribution.
"The industry is keen to play its full part. but is held back by the current operation of renewable energy incentives and uncertainty about mixed waste digestion.
"If ministers, regulators and operators worked together to find a way through these barriers and enable water companies to play to their potential, there could be real benefit to the environment, the tax-payer - and the new economy."
For more information please contact:
Water UK Communication
020 7344 1809 (out of hours 07833 450544)
