Panorama
 
 
 
 
 

WIND TURBINE HELPS CUT ENVIRONMENT AGENCY’S CARBON FOOTPRINT


Environmental Panorama
International
May of 2008


Paul Gainey - 2-May-2008 - A state-of-the-art wind turbine has helped turn an Environment Agency depot in Cornwall into one of the greenest government offices in the country.

Standing over 60ft tall, the new turbine takes pride of place at the Agency’s Pennygillam depot near Launceston and is the first to be installed at Agency premises. It should produce more than 15,000 kilowatts of power a year and reduce the site’s annual electricity bill by up to 40%.

The eco-friendly depot already has a rainwater harvesting system that has made it virtually self-sufficient in water. It also uses ‘sun pipes’ to illuminate parts of the depot with natural light. Vehicles at the site are now running on biofuel as part of a 12-month trial.

A special ceremony will take place at next Friday (May 9) at 2.00pm to mark the official launch of the new turbine. The Environment Agency’s regional director, Richard Cresswell, will give a short presentation before inviting local MP Dan Rogerson to unveil an interpretation board explaining how the turbine works.

As well as providing renewable energy, any surplus power is sold to the National Grid. Over an estimated 20 year lifetime, the turbine will save over 129 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

More than half the £50,000 cost of the project has been funded through the Environment Agency’s Carbon Reduction Fund which is used to help offset the Agency’s own carbon footprint and set a good example to other organisations.

The site at Pennygillam was identified as the most suitable for a wind turbine after consultants surveyed various Agency sites to find out where alternative energy devices could best be installed.

‘This project is an excellent example of the Environment Agency leading the way. We all need to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint and make greater use of renewable energy technology. An added bonus with this scheme is that we can export electricity to the National Grid during periods of low demand such as evenings, weekends and during the summer,’ said Richard Cresswell.

Notes to Editor:
The depot at Pennygillam uses 75,000 kw of electricity a year. The new turbine will reduce the site’s annual electricity use by at least 20% and possibly as much as 40%. CO2 emissions will be cut by at least 6,450 kilos – the equivalent of an average household in a year.

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Environment Agency Board discuss future development for South Hampshire

Lucy Harding - 2-May-2008 - With its 360º panoramic views of Portsmouth Harbour, the South coast and the Isle of Wight, the Spinnaker Tower is the ideal location for the Environment Agency Board to meet and discuss the challenges of planned growth in South Hampshire.

The Board will discuss regional issues such as managing water supplies and flood risk on 6 May 2008, ahead of the open board meeting on 7 May.

The South East is one of the UK’s fastest growing regions, with around 300,000 new homes planned for the next 20 years. In South Hampshire alone there are plans to build a further 80,000 properties.

“Climate change will put our environment under further pressure in the coming years,” Sir John Harman, Environment Agency Chairman, said.

“With two years of below average rainfall in 2005 and 2006, the South East experienced one of the worst droughts for 100 years. With future growth in housing and population, our water resources will come under even more pressure.

“It is imperative that any further growth protects our resources. Metering is crucial to managing future water supplies and demand, and we need it sooner rather than later.

“Also, the floods last summer clearly showed the damage that flooding, either from rivers or from surface water, can cause.

“The plans for South Hampshire present us all with a challenge to make the right decisions about the location, design and nature of development so that both people and the environment are protected, especially in the face of climate change. It is critical that those responsible for development recognise the environmental pressures and work closely with us to tackle them,” Sir John Harman said.

The Environment Agency Board meets for its open meeting on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, from 10am to 1pm in the Normandy Suite, Holiday Inn, Pembroke Road, Portsmouth PO1 2TA. The agenda can be discussed with Environment Agency Chairman Sir John Harman and board members during lunch from 1pm – 1.45pm. The agenda and board papers can be found at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/board

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Environment Agency hunts Bank Holiday licence cheats

Michelle Dolphin - 2-May-2008 - The Environment Agency is reminding people who plan to go fishing this Bank Holiday weekend in Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire that they need to take a valid rod licence with them as Environmental Crime Team officers will be out and about, seeking anglers fishing without a rod licence.

We will be visiting locations where our intelligence operations indicate we are likely to find anglers who fishing without a rod licence.

Although Environmental Crime Team officers will be targeting these areas in particular this weekend, patrols by Water Bailiffs will take place across the Midlands, so it is no use going elsewhere. There is nowhere to hide.

Fishing inland waters without a rod licence is a criminal offence. As well as a court appearance and criminal record, offenders lay themselves open to a possible fine of up to £2,500.

People who fish without a licence are cheating their fellow anglers. We use the money invested in rod licences by honest anglers who care about their sport to help to improve the future of angling for everyone.

We breed fish to re-stock waters that have suffered from pollution.

We rescue fish that would otherwise die because of problems in their water environment.

We check that fish movements are carried out properly to prevent the spread of disease.

We provide facilities for disabled anglers.

We nurture a new generation of responsible anglers by coaching youngsters and we make sure there will be fish for them to catch.

This can be achieved only through the support of anglers who buy rod licences.

Team Leader Al Watson says: “Anglers who try to beat the system by not buying a rod licence are cheats. They take unfair advantage of improvements funded by their honest colleagues without contributing a penny themselves, and they reduce the money we can invest in the sport.

“It is illegal to fish without a rod licence. Our work to catch illegal anglers is now carefully targeted based on intelligence. Our message to rod licence cheats is clear. We have the technology and we know where to find you. When we catch you, it could prove the most expensive and memorable day’s fishing you’ve ever had. Don’t risk getting caught this weekend. Buy a rod licence now.”

 
 

Source: Environment Agency – United Kingdom
Press consultantship
All rights reserved

 
 
 
 

 

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