Public can be Environment Agency’s eyes and ears

May 20 2008 by Karen Wilson, The Journal

THE Environment Agency monitors major industry to make sure it is running as efficiently as possible and not polluting the environment.

Officers work with companies discussing plans for upgrades and improvements which should be made to ensure sites are operating as efficiently and cleanly as possible.

If firms do not toe the line they risk being taken to court and fined or shut down. The aim is to ensure factories are not pumping out gasses or liquid waste which may pollute the air or water and are keeping carbon emissions to a minimum.

The Environment Protection Act in 1990 was a turning point in terms of cutting air pollution. Bill Miller, process industry regulation officer, said: “The regulations aren’t there to close down industry, they are there to help them improve their processes. However if they are polluting and will not mend their ways we will close them down.

“The vast majority of operators realise the rules are there and are prepared to sit down and discuss it. But if the cooperation isn’t there we have legal powers. We need industry in the region and as long as it operates within the limits that’s fine.

“If the regulations weren’t there we would go back to the position we were in 40 years ago when in general the air quality was much worse than it is today.

“Process industry also used to contribute to pollution into rivers and estuaries and that has improved to the extent that the Tyne is one of the best salmon rivers in the UK. People don’t seem to remember how bad it was and how much better it is today.”

The Agency is keen to hear from the public if they believe there is a problem with a firm near where they live. Bill said: “The public can be our eyes and ears. If they tell us about it we can see if we can do something. It is our job to create a better place, for now and for future generations.”