Council testing for improvements at Exide Factory
By Jamie Melbourne-Hayward
Exide have been taken to the environment court before by the Greater Wellington Regional Council, but “in effect” will only closed-down if fines for breaching the emission limit become too hefty.
Greater Wellington Regional Council conducted independent air-quality tests at the Exide factory last year, but due to factory upgrades were unable to provide conclusive results. This year’s testing looks to be more decisive.
Greater Wellington Environmental Regulation Team Leader Miranda Robinson says a current study of airborne discharges from the plant will show if the improvements have borne fruit.
“We will also compare the results to 1999 levels and see what improvements, if any, there has been.
“Exide was upgrading last year, so this year’s results will show one of two things; either the emissions are lower this year and the upgrading has worked, or last year had a higher level of discharge due to the upgrades,” she says.
Greater Wellington preliminary results for the period February-May 2009 show the factory has not exceeded its consent limit, but did have a slight blow-out during the week an explosion occurred.
“We don’t have the power to shut down the factory.
“If they are taken to the environment court; in effect it will come down to if the cost of breaching the limit is worth it.
“Essentially only the court fines could force them out of the market,” she says.
The study looks predominantly at lead and arsenic discharges.
“Long-term exposure is the greatest risk with this type of material, and the current limits are there to protect the public,” says Ms Robinson.
The major maintenance work at the site included replacement of the furnace stack, and upgrading furnace and refining operations.
During the period February-May 2008, the furnace and refining activities were on and off, so the latest testing will show if during that period the plant discharged too much, or if improvements have made the plant more environmentally friendly.
