LAQM.PG(S)(09) – new biomass guidance

1. LAQM.PG(S)(09) – new biomass guidance

2. PG(S)(09) published in February • Reflects changes since PG(S)(03) 2003: - biomass burning not a significant issue for LAQM 2009: - increasingly large number of planning applications for biomass boilers being submitted to local authorities - recognition that insufficient guidance and information available to allow air quality aspects to be considered fully

3. Scottish Government encourages adoption of biomass combustion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate against climate change effects and improve energy security and rural development • However biomass combustion contributes to emissions of air pollutants that are potentially harmful to human health, especially particulate matter • Concerns have thus been raised at the possible widespread adoption of biomass in urban areas with existing air quality issues

4. Use of biomass to generate energy should not have a detrimental impact on air quality, particularly where this would significantly affect public health or compromise the ability to meet legal obligations under air quality legislation • Scottish Government recognises that renewable heat technologies can benefit air quality in situations where they replace oil and coal heating

5. When considering planning applications for biomass boilers, local authorities should as a first step apply the new screening tools to assess the possible impact • If this assessment indicates that any individual boiler, or group of boilers in a specific area, has the potential to contribute to an exceedence of the PM10 objectives, the local authority should give careful consideration as to whether the application should be approved

6. Impact on ambient air quality is likely to be especially important where: - the proposed development is inside or adjacent to an AQMA; - the development could result in designation of a new AQMA; and - the granting of planning permission would conflict with, or render unworkable, elements of a local authority’s air quality action plan

7. Effects can be reduced through: - abatement technology - appropriate stack height - boiler design - fuel quality and type - matching boiler type to fuel load • Strongly recommended that mitigation included in planning conditions if planning permission given in sensitive areas

8. Further guidance to come from Environmental Protection UK • AEA preparing further screening tool to assess actual impact of individual planned boilers

9. Clean Air Act • CAA regulates emissions from commercial and domestic premises in Smoke Control Areas • Legislation developed in the 1960s, primarily aimed at coal combustion - not appropriate for the current pollution situation and control of fine particulate emissions • Modern biomass boilers may meet CAA standards but still have potential to produce PM10 emissions that are worse than the current gas equivalent • The Scottish Government, working with the other UK administrations as appropriate, intends to review the CAA to address this situation