ESB plans to carry out a €200 million environmental clean-up of its coal-burning Moneypoint power station were put on hold yesterday by Clare Co Council.
The council had raised questions over the increased level of carbon dioxide that will be emitted by the station as a result of the clean-up, which aims to reduce sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by an overall 80 per cent.
Currently the station - which is Ireland's largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions - emits an estimated five million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and this is set to increase by a further 126,000 tonnes per annum through the proposed process of reducing the sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.
An Taisce has objected to the proposal, claiming the plan contravenes the National Climate Change Strategy Ireland 2000 through the increased level of carbon dioxide emissions.
Now, in response to the concerns raised by An Taisce and Dúchas, the Heritage Service, the county council has stated that it has "a number of concerns regarding the proposed development which requires addressing".
