Brig y Cwm Merthyr Incinerator

In early February 2009 proposals suddenly appeared for a massive incinerator on the outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil near to the Ffos y Fran opencast and the Trecatti Landfil site. The proposals come from a company called Covanta a  US owned firm.

In October 2008 the American branch of Covanta received a fine of $45,600 from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for exceeding the permissible limits for emissions of toxic nickel and related compounds. This is among several other incidents where they have been fined for not adhering the regulations.

It seems that the people of Merthyr are receiving more than their fair share of polluting industries as they are already a borough with a poor health record. Given our experiences with the Crymlyn Burrows Incinerator the locals have a right to be concerned.

It is quite true that Merthyr needs jobs but these need to be good, healthy and clean jobs. It is acquiring a reputation for being the dumping ground of Wales where all the bad developments go and this is not going to encourage good employers to want to set up in the town.

Watch this space for future campaign developments.