Transcript Public Engagement with Tidal Power Options

Public engagement with
tidal power options
Whose estuary is it ?
Dr Mervyn Bramley
OBE
Engineer and Environmentalist
Research fellow, University of West of England
Fellow, Royal Society of Arts
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
This presentation covers….
• Who’s promoting public engagement on what
• Guiding principles from “Securing the Future”
• Process / route map to sustainable solutions,
including public engagement and ownership
• What the public has said, thought and could ask
• Next steps …….
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
Engagement on what, by whom
What….
A developing process of public engagement and understanding on issues
surrounding development and use of tidal power from the Severn Estuary
….needs to be promoted by all stakeholders, but we are
A group of neutral organisations each with an active interest in the public
understanding of science and serving society in this area
Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Severn Estuary Partnership
University of West of England
Cardiff University
British Association for the Advancement of Science
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
Securing the future
The UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy (2005) set out five
guiding principles to help deliver a sustainable future for all.
In partnership with regional & local public bodies, the public is expected to
contribute strongly to planning for the future of its region / locality.
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
Overall process, and next steps
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Very complex decision-making process with many
interests at all levels - “uncharted waters”
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Next key step is SDC report on UK Tidal Power, incl.
Severn Estuary annex. Due September 2007
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evidence base; engagement programme; final report
strategic overview of options for tidal power from Severn Estuary
Critical decision on preferred option(s)
Programme of multi-disciplinary studies to address
uncertainties, assemble data, and consider options
Further stakeholder, including public, engagement
Clarification of route map through existing legislation
and planning / parliamentary requirements
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international / national / regional / local
e.g. Imperative reasons for over-riding public interest (IROPI)
Programme of outline design, business / funding issues,
environmental assessment and sustainability appraisal
Prepare enabling legislation
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
Taking forward public engagement
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Current level of engagement is relatively low at “Inform” level
Increase level to “Involve” (via local government, media, RSA group, etc)
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Provide balanced information on options, with pros & cons (SDC report)
Support public discussion and assist understanding of science / sustainability
Help public to recognise “totalitarian” & develop views on what is sustainable
Listen to & monitor views
Address issues of broad public concern
Explain next steps and facilitate relevant engagement activities
Good public engagement will secure ownership of the solution
Source: Protocol for Public Engagement with Proposed Wind Energy Developments
in Wales - Report for Renewables Advisory Board and DTI – May 2007
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
Public correspondence - Bristol Evening Post
"Severn Barrage could
have disastrous results"
Open Lines, May 2007
……I am not against using the
Severn to generate electricity far from it. I think it is
essential that we do so. But
there are far better, cheaper
ways to do this than to build a
concrete monstrosity
stretching across the width of
the estuary.
Alan Fidler, Clevedon
…...The barrage would not be an
"enormous brick wall“, for in
order for it to work, there has to
be little restriction to the tide as
it flows in.
Mr Fidler is right to suggest
wave technology and wind
power, but the barrage should
complement this as part of a
balanced portfolio of "green
energy".
If Mr Fidler doesn't support the
barrage, then global warming
might require people living near
to the Severn Estuary to move to
higher ground sooner rather than
later.
Kevin Self, Henleaze, Bristol
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
……The barrage deserves an
objective assessment. There are
many issues involved, certainly
more than those related to
conventional energy projects.
The key questions include: is it a
sustainable independent energy
source; can the barrage create
new and significant transport
links; can it create opportunities
for regeneration and recreational
use; can any real or imagined
adverse impacts on the natural
environment be mitigated to an
acceptable degree?
Jack Penrose, Redland, Bristol
Who does the public trust?
Courtesy: Western Mail
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
Key public questions – 1
Finding a balance
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How valuable really are the Severn tidal
resource and the Severn environment?
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Can we weigh one against the other?
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Is there a public body doing this?
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If so, how and when, and will the process be
public and visible?
What is too little ??
How much is “just right” ??
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
What is too much ??
Key public questions – 2
Combating climate change
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Severn tidal range is our “Green Gold” –
shouldn’t we make as much use of it for
energy as we can afford to?
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Is this the best way we can combat
climate change?
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Which tidal power option is the most
reliable – barrage, lagoon or tidal
stream?
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Which is the “least worst” option?
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If nothing on the scale of a Severn
Barrage has been built before, how can
we ever be confident enough to build it?
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
Key public questions – 3
Environment
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Why try to conserve this present environment
when it’s going to change due to climate
change in any case?
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Who or what is IROPI?
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Won’t a barrage or lagoons enable a new
unique environment to be created?
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Will we ever know enough about the Severn
environment to enable some options to be
properly assessed?
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How could tidal power development proceed
with incomplete or uncertain information?
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Surely wildlife must make lifestyle changes in
the face of climate change?
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
Shouldn’t the vision be a higher quality
environment that’s inclusive of people,
landscape, commerce and nature?
Key public questions – 4
Vision
Not surprisingly, the Victorians were better able to
convey a vision of bold but joined-up development
'Proposed Barrage across Severn Estuary' by Thomas Fulljames, 1849 View across Severn
estuary to Beachley. The barrage, a two-tiered viaduct with trains on top and roadway below,
consists of 21 towers with connecting arched structures. Courtesy: Newport Museum & Art Gallery
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
Key public questions – 5
Regional development
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What opportunities for
development are linked
to the different options?
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Could we get a Gordon
Brown ecotown?
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How would local people
/ communities benefit
from the development?
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How could local
businesses benefit?
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How would the energy
leave the power plant?
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How can sustainability
be optimised overall?
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
So what are we proposing?
• Increasing emphasis on public engagement
(“involvement”), particularly following the SDC report
• Presentation of the options, with their pros, cons and
uncertainties, from a neutral, sound science viewpoint
• Clear way forward – focussed studies, sustainability
appraisal, “route map” etc.
• Organising two major public forums, in Bristol and
Cardiff, to present and discuss the issues and options
– Please take the hand-out
• Increasing programme of activities among stakeholders
to underpin public engagement
– Research, exhibitions, local meetings, dissemination etc
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007
It’s everybody’s estuary
Thank you for your kind attention
2nd Severn Estuary Forum, Clevedon – 7 June 2007