Approval likely for New Energy plant
Plans for a $180 waste-to-energy plant for East Rockingham are expected to take a step closer to becoming a reality in the coming days, with Environment Minister Albert Jacob tipped to approve the project.
New Energy Corp general manager Jason Pugh said nothing had been confirmed, but he hoped the length approvals process would soon be over.
He said he hoped 2015 would be the year for the company to break ground at the Patterson Road site.
"We certainly hope the Minister's decision is imminent," Mr Pugh said.
"New Energy held a community consultation in December, 2013, and the EPA report was released in June last year - we have spent the past eight months working with the office of the appeals convenor so it has been a lengthy process." In June, 2014, Environmental Protection Authority chairman Dr Paul Vogel said the proposal, which would accept 225,000 tonnes of waste a year, had undergone a comprehensive and independent review.
Dr Vogel said the EPA had found the state-of-the art plant could operate within strict international emissions standards.
The plant is expected to produce enough electricity to power 23,000 South West homes a year.
