Decision

To approve £150,000 for the provision of installation of additional abatement equipment to Barnsley Crematorium as a result of changes to legislation (PG5/2).

Reasons for the decision

Cremation is a regulated industry so environmental permits require that crematoria must meet the standard for emissions to air determined by best available techniques (BAT), described in the relevant process guidance note, to ensure pollutant emissions and impacts to the environment are minimised. New guidance is proposed to come into effect in April 2024.

A new emissions limit for NOx will be introduced for the first time which comes into force on the 1 January 2027. The limit proposed is 200 mg/Nm3 which means that additional DeNOx plant will need to be installed if this limit is to be met.

Additional tests will be added to the list of those performed annually at present including measurement of dioxins (once every 3 years) and NOx. If the site has DeNOx abatement plant in operation, then the emissions of ammonia should also be monitored annually.

Carbon emissions are considered to be a key environmental issue for the sector, and it is important these emissions are measured. Therefore, fuel and electricity consumption shall be measured for each cremator (including all abatement equipment), where there is more than one cremator operating with a shared flue gas treatment system, fuel and electricity consumption shall be measured for the whole system.

From 1 January 2024, all new and replacement cremators will be fitted with appropriate fuel and electricity metering.

Other measures to be undertaken to reduce fuel consumption and the carbon footprint will be included which will involve adjustments to the existing equipment.

Alternative options considered

There are no alternatives to this proposal.