The Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed its earlier decision to grant a licence to Shell E&P Ireland Limited to develop gas refinery and combustion plant facilities at Bellanaboy Bridge, Bellagelly South, County Mayo.

The licence provides for the processing of natural gas that will be exported to the Bord Gais Eireann (BGE) distribution network. The licence contains more than 90 individual conditions relating to the environmental management, operation, control and monitoring of the proposed installation.

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The EPA is satisfied that emissions from the refinery, when operated in accordance with the conditions of the licence, will not adversely affect human health or the environment and will meet all relevant national and EU standards.

The decision by the Board of the EPA follows an exhaustive examination of the: licence application, submissions and objections from interested parties and detailed report from the Chairman of the oral hearing of objections, which sat for 12 days in April and May of this year.

The Board noted that cold venting was an issue of major concern to local residents but accepted the Chairman’s recommendations that this was the best environmental option in the circumstances due to the small volume of gas released.

In addition to imposing significant controls on the operation of the installation the licence sets out a series of monitoring and reporting requirements, which will provide the EPA and the general public with detailed insight into the environmental performance of the installation.

(JM)