Heidelberg under scrutiny for potential environmental threat from planned waste processing plant in Ölfus

Heidelberg is being asked for more answers about a potential environmental threat from a waste processing plant the company wants to build in Ölfus. A second environmental assessment is not ruled out.

The energy company First Water has opposed Heidelberg’s plans to build a waste processing plant in Keflavík in Þorlákshöfn, arguing that the operation is not compatible with food production in the same area. According to regulations, an environmental assessment has already been carried out, changes to the zoning plan and changes to the master plan, and comments published for consultation.

However, at a meeting of the Ölfus Planning and Environment Committee over the weekend, comments were raised about issues that First Water believes were not sufficiently explained in the environmental assessment. More information will be required from Heidelberg about noise and vibration due to the operation, possible dust pollution and the risk of pollution accidents due to port operations.

“The issues are discussed in the environmental assessment. First Water is asking for more detailed explanations on the matter and it will be up to those working for Heidelberg to answer these questions and eventually it will be the opinion of the Planning Institution that determines whether the environmental assessment as such is reopened or whether these answers from Heidelberg are sufficient,” says Geir Höskuldsson, Chairman of the Ölfus Planning and Environment Committee.

The committee also approved at its meeting to carry out a risk assessment for Þorlákshöfn and a possible port in Keflavík due to First Water’s comments. A local election will ultimately decide whether the factory will be built.