On May 31, residents of Chengmai District near Haikou Solid Waste Incineration Power Plant applied to the National Development and Reform Commission of China for administrative reconsideration, demanding the cancellation of the Notice of No Hearing issued by Hainan Development and Reform Commission on May 24. The Commission was ordered to hold a hearing on environmental impact assessment (EIA) according to the law on the medium and long-term special plan for domestic waste incineration and power generation in Hainan Province (2018-2030). At the same time, the applicant for reconsideration requests that the approval and issuance procedure of the plan be suspended during the administrative reconsideration.

From January to April this year, applicants and other resident submitted three applications in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, the Regulations on Planning Environmental Impact Assessment and the Measures for Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment, requesting the compilation unit of the Medium and Long Term Special Plan for Domestic Waste Incineration and Power Generation in Hainan Province (2018-2030), namely the Hainan Development and Reform Commission, to hold the Planning Hearing on Environmental Impact Assessment. Residents believe that there are environmental health risks in waste incineration projects, which involve the vital interests of people's health and well-being, and a large number of citizens have expressed their opposition to the incineration scheme, especially the site selection of the project. There are significant differences between public opinion and the draft plan and the conclusion of environmental impact assessment.

The Hainan Development and Reform Commission approved that the applicant had the right to apply for the planning of the PEIA hearing. However, two requests were made to amend the hearing application so that the applicant could only talk about the site change of the incineration plant and not involve the policy of the provincial government. On May 24, 2019, the Hainan Development and Reform Commission formally issued the Notice of No Hearing.

According to residents, the Hainan Development and Reform Commission has not publicized the draft of waste incineration planning and has not disclosed the environmental impact report, so the public simply cannot express substantive opinions. The Development and Reform Commission's decision not to hear makes it difficult for Chengmai residents to participate fully and supervise effectively in planning and decision-making.

Xia Jun, a well-known environmental lawyer, commented that if the National Development and Reform Commission accepted the case, it would be of pioneering significance for the progress of China's environmental rule of law and the construction of Hainan Eco-civilization Experimental Zone of National-Level.

CBCGDF will continue to pay attention to and follow up the situation of Haikou Waste Incineration Project.

Original Chinese article:

http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4854/8801.html

By / Li Xue