Eric Waugh (Belfast Telegraph, September 9) makes a number of assertions in relation to lignite mining and power generation in north Antrim which Collective Objectors To Lignite Development (COLD) challenge.

The ‘vociferous element’, far from being a tiny minority, is the vast majority of the people of the area. All are vehemently opposed to the proposals of Felix Holdings Aluron/Ballymoney Power.

Mr Waugh describes the north Antrim fuel as ‘coal’. This is misleading. The substance is lignite which can contain up to 60% water, leave 50% of its weight, after burning as ash and has approximately one-eighth of the thermal calorific value of coal.

Eric Waugh’s contention that burning lignite would produce cheap or cheaper electricity for the people of the province does not stand up. Ballymoney Power, like any commercial company, is in the business of making profits for its shareholders and will strive to maximise those profits.

Profits are maximised by keeping costs (including wages) down and selling the product for as much as the market will stand.

It may be technologically possible for Ballymoney Power to produce electricity for 30 years, but one has to ask: what then?

The process will result in greater health risks for animals and humans. Existing rural businesses will cease to exist and the food currently produced will no longer be available. The physical environment will be destroyed. The area, which is the gateway to the Giant’s Causeway and an access to the Glens, will resemble an impassable lunar landscape.

We can either have 30 years of lignite mining and burning with catastrophic outcomes or we could have food and eco-friendly renewable fuel production in an undefiled rural landscape in perpetuity.

The preferred choice will be obvious to readers,

Herb McKeown

COLD, Ballymoney