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Rose Energy and their supporters have branded us as NIMBY’s. They underestimate us. Our objections are threefold:-
- Wrong Technology. CALNI is convinced that the use of incineration is not in the best interests of Northern Ireland. The poultry farmers will not gain from it. Rose Energy are proposing to build an incinerator with significant spare capacity. They say that they will not use it for any other purpose. However large profits could be made by adapting it to tackle local lignite deposits or the municipal solid waste from the greater Belfast area.
- Wrong Location. The only thing that is right about the location from the Rose point of view is that it is next door to the lignite deposits.
- Wrong Economics. This affects every tax payer in Northern Ireland. Rose need £30M of our money to help build this monstrosity. They have also indicated to our MLA's that they will need an operating subsidy for the next twenty-five years.
CALNI has done some serious fund raising and put in much time and effort to investigate alternatives. In the end, something does have to be done about the disposal of poultry litter. It is this work that entitles us to be seen as the farmers’ true friend. After all, we do have farmers as members! We have written at length about:-
- Right Technology. There are several alternatives. Some are new and for most of them, it is only the recent rises in energy prices that have made them economically viable.
- Right Location. We have identified five viable alternative locations where the treatment of this waste material can be achieved more efficiently.
- Right Economics. We have demonstrated how the poultry farmers themselves can invest in new ways to deal with the litter and get a good return on their investment. They could achieve long term profits without the need for the investment of public funds.
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