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Jordan: JCFC decision to use coal instead of fuel oil draws ire

AMMAN - A recent decision by the Jordan Cement Factories Company (JCFC) to use coal as an alternative for fuel oil sparked the ire of Fuheis residents and environmentalists, but the new substitute will not get the green light unless it proves to be environment-friendly, officials said.

Minister of Environment Khalid Irani on Monday said the ministry did not authorise JCFC to use coal instead of fuel oil, but had approved the use of limited amounts for the purpose of carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

"Based on the results of the EIA, the ministry will decide whether or not to endorse the decision. Limited amounts of coal will be used within a timeframe of a few weeks, on condition that the company provides us with the chemical formula of the new alternative," Irani told The Jordan Times yesterday.

Over 80 trucks loaded with coal entered the company's premises three days ago and more arrived late Sunday, according to Afaf Mdaeem, member of the Fuheis Municipal Council.

She told The Jordan Times that Fuheis residents and environmentalists blocked the road, forcing the trucks to return.

Irani said the ministry does not approve the use of any kind of energy substitutes without carrying out an EIA, noting that the approval hinges on the results of the scientific and field studies.

"We understand the viewpoints and fears of the residents of Fuheis and the surrounding areas, but we assure them the ministry only supports environment-friendly energy alternatives," Irani emphasised.

Meanwhile, the company said its decision to use coal is part of efforts seeking new energy substitutes that would decrease production costs of cement and thus its price on the local market.

"The company sells cement for JD68 per tonne and it is sold for approximately JD95 on the local market. The price will definitely go down if coal is approved," JCFC Communication Officer Hana Attiga told The Jordan Times.

She said the company has been seeking energy substitutes over the past two years, particularly after the hike in fuel oil prices early last year.

Fuel oil is the company's sole source of energy and accounts for 70 per cent of the total production cost.

Attiga said the JCFC had plans for using gas and oil shale as an energy source to decrease production costs, but the ministry did not endorse the proposal.

"The ministry approved the use of limited amounts of coal in order to carry out an EIA and experiments, which will be implemented soon under the ministry's supervision," Attiga said.

Assuring the new alternative is safe for health and environment, Attiga pointed out that 45 per cent of cement factories worldwide use it.

"Studies have shown that coal has low amounts of sulphur, which stands at 1 per cent, compared to 3 per cent in fuel oil," she added.

The coal we intend to use is what people use for barbecues and for lighting arghileh," she said, emphasising that part of the company's policy is to ensure that their sources of energy don't pose a threat to public health or the environment.

"Fuheis residents are our partners and stakeholders; it is important that they are acquainted with the right information on our activities and sources of energy," Attiga said.

By Hana Namrouqa

© Jordan Times 2008