Energy

The Irish government’s attempts to fast-track the controversial Shannon Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) import terminal project represent a giant leap backwards regarding climate action, according to An Taisce. The notion of opening a massive terminal to facilitate the import of fracked gas from the US after Ireland has introduced a domestic ban on gas fracking defies all logic and flies in the face of expert scientific advice regarding emissions reductions.

An Taisce is seeking the immediate intervention of Minister for Communications Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton to respond to the An Bord Pleanála refusal of the Shannonbridge peat and biomass electricity plant. An Taisce calls on the Minister to initiate an Action Plan in energy efficiency programmes for ESB and Bord Na Móna midlands peat power plant workers and suppliers.

An Taisce Response to Bord Na Móna Confirmation of Shipment of Woody Biomass Material for Burning in Co Offaly Peat Station, as Part of Phased Plan to Substitute Biomass for Peat in Co Offaly and Co Longford Power Stations

An Taisce recognises that the government’s newly published Climate Action Plan could signal a genuine shift away from the token gestures and empty promises of the last decade and a move towards potentially meaningful and measurable climate action. However, An Taisce climate committee’s preliminary analysis suggests that the Action Plan still falls well short of the kind of radical, transformational change that our recently declared national ‘climate and biodiversity emergency’ warrants.

As a prescribed body under Article 28 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (amended), An Taisce is involved in reviewing planning applications referred by the planning authority.

Over the last year, there have been a number of applications for energy-intensive development including data centres.

As the IDA is promoting Ireland as a global centre for data storage, Ireland needs to set international leadership in energy efficiency through the use of zero-carbon energy.

An Taisce and Biofuelwatch are organising and event entitled "Is Biomass a climate solution – Bord Na Mona’s plan to import US timber"

It will be held in Tailors' Hall on Thursday 8th March from 19:00 to 21:30