Public invited to discuss Sizewell C nuclear power station proposals at events in Saxmundham, Aldeburgh and Leiston
The public will be invited to talk to Environment Agency staff about proposals to provide permits to the company behind planned Sizewell C nuclear power station at three events next week.
The events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will give opportunities to discuss proposed permits for NNB Generation Company, a subsidiary created by EDF Energy, to discharge of and dispose of radioactive waste, operate standby power supply systems using diesel generators, and discharge cooling water and liquid effluent into the North Sea.
Tom Daly, Green Party councillor for Aldeburgh and Leiston District Council, the ward covering Sizewell, said: “It is really important for people to get involved, go to the meetings and inform themselves of exactly what is going on.
“Do not be backwards in coming forwards, as you can make an impact. Ask questions like: what levels of radioactive waste will be permitted?
“What kind of effluence will be flowing into the water, which will actually be released near a holiday spot, in an area of water that people swim in?
“And what environmental impact assessment has been done?
“Issues like these have been raised in previous meetings, and they have tended to be pushed down the road.
“But we are right up against a decision now, so the Environment Agency are going to have to be very specific.”
The public drop-ins will be held at Saxmundham Market Hall on Thursday, July 14, between 2pm and 7.30pm, at Aldeburgh Parish Church on Friday, July 15, between 2pm and 7.30pm, and at Leiston Community Centre on Saturday, July 16, between 9am to 1.30pm.
Simon Barlow, The Environment Agency’s Sizewell C project manager, said: “These draft permits represent over 10 years of pre-application discussions with EDF SZC Co.
“The company has applied for these permits many years ahead of the station operating.
“If we grant these permits early in the project, it will help us to positively influence the design, procurement and commissioning of the power station, whilst also ensuring that the environment and wildlife is protected.
“We want our decisions to be better informed through consultation and want to hear people’s views on our proposed decisions.”
The 12-week consultation period runs from July 4 to September 25, 2022, and you can submit your responses during this time on the Environment Agency's website.
If built, Sizewell C will be a 3.2-gigawatt power station situated next to Sizewell B, the nuclear power station that started operating in 1995.
According to EDF, nuclear power from Sizewell C will deliver low-carbon electricity that doesn’t depend on the weather and will work alongside renewable sources to reduce carbon emissions in the UK.
