|
|
OPW's fuel choice in
Buncrana criticised
14.01.08
AN INISHOWEN councillor
has hit out at news that Government buildings under
construction in Buncrana are to be heated
exclusively by oil.
Cllr. Padraig MacLochlainn was alerted to the
situation by a local company providing
environmentally-friendly wood chip fuels.
Ecowood Energy Systems made enquiries with the
Office of Public Works (OPW) about the heating
system. The company supplies woodchip fuel and
heating systems to major premises in the public and
private sector including the new IKEA store in
Belfast and the new Letterkenny Regional Sports
Centre, said the Sinn Féin councillor. |
"It is absolutely
astonishing that, at a time when issues like global
warming, peak oil and the Kyoto principles dominate
news across the world, our Government, that for the
first time ever includes the Green Party, continues
to allow major Government buildings to be heated by
oil fired systems," said the Buncrana-based town and
county councillor. "It really is time that the
Government practiced what they preach on the
environment."
He said choosing an eco-friendly biomass system
would also be cheaper for |
 |
the taxpayer.
"Woodchip-fuelled systems save up to 50% on heating
costs. Imagine how much money would be saved every
year if this new building and every other Government
building such as hospitals, schools and council
offices in Donegal and across the country changed
from oil to woodchip. It has to run into millions of
euro every year," he said.
He said the Government must "take the lead"
regarding eco-friendly heating solutions.
"Whether Ecowood Energy Systems get the contract for
woodchip fuel supply to the new Government buildings
in Buncrana or not, is an issue for an open tender
process but the Government must take the lead on
this and remedy this clear policy anomaly of
grant-aiding homeowners and businesses to take the
green option while on the other hand, using oil
heating for Government buildings.
"I will be lobbying the Green Party leader, Minister
for the Environment, John Gormley, in particular, on
this issue. If we are to meet our obligations under
the Kyoto accord and protect future generations, we
need to move away from our dependence on oil," he
added. |
|
