Naju City Decides to Appeal SRF Administrative Lawsuit Ruling as "Regrettable"

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do, expressed strong regret over the court ruling to “cancel the refusal of acceptance of the SRF cogeneration power plant business commencement report” and announced its intention to immediately appeal.

On the 21st, through a statement issued in the name of Mayor Kang In-gyu, Naju City said, “This ruling is a regrettable decision that shakes the foundation of social consensus on public interest and the principle of waste treatment at the source of generation,” and added, “The city plans to immediately appeal according to relevant procedures to restore legitimacy and uphold the will of its citizens.”

Earlier, on the 15th, the 1st Administrative Division of Gwangju District Court (Chief Judge Park Hyun) ruled in favor of the plaintiff in an administrative lawsuit filed by Korea District Heating Corporation against Naju City, seeking to cancel the refusal of acceptance of the power plant business commencement report.

The court stated, “The environmental harm caused by the operation of the power plant is not clear,” and judged that “the city’s refusal to accept the business commencement report cannot be seen as a reason of significant public interest,” thus siding with the Heating Corporation.

The city expressed regret over the ruling, stating that it “overlooks the ‘change in government policy’ and the ‘public interest’ such as the environmental impact on residents.”

This stance is due to the recent strengthening of government regulations on the manufacture and use of SRF, citing environmental concerns and resident acceptance.

In fact, since 2019, the government has excluded SRF from renewable energy and has prohibited power plants or incinerators using SRF from receiving Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) weighting.

Regarding this change in government policy, Naju City explained, “This is because the public interest in protecting residents’ lives and health is considered greater and more important than anything else.”

The city appealed, “However, the court issued a limited legal interpretation that the nearly doubled SRF procurement plan, changed from the original 225 tons to 444 tons, is not a reason to terminate the industrial complex occupancy contract, and therefore the city must accept the business commencement report of the SRF cogeneration power plant.”

It continued, “Since the amount of SRF fuel used has nearly doubled compared to the original plan, a contract change is necessary accordingly,” and emphasized, “The Heating Corporation’s failure to implement this means that the business commencement report cannot be accepted, and the administrative disposition is lawful and just.”

The city also reiterated its consistent and firm stance on ‘No SRF import into Gwangju.’

The city sharply criticized, “Even Gwangju citizens agree with the principle of waste treatment at the source of generation (50.2% agree, 37.4% disagree), yet Gwangju’s selfish waste policy of trying to dump its own waste in neighboring areas cannot secure legitimacy under any circumstances, regardless of this ruling.”

It further criticized, “Gwangju City, which had consistently ignored the conflict before its eyes, showed to the whole world that it is a stakeholder in the Naju SRF cogeneration power plant by submitting an appeal to the court demanding a swift ruling ahead of the judgment.”

The city urged Gwangju and the Heating Corporation to take a progressive stance, saying, “Gwangju City should now prepare its own treatment plan according to the principle of waste treatment at the source and actively participate in consultation and communication,” and “The Heating Corporation must strictly comply with the agreement signed on March 27, 2009, as this is the proper and quickest way to resolve the issue.”

Mayor Kang said, “I deeply thank the 120,000 citizens and organizations who gathered strength and wisdom during this lawsuit process,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to uphold principles from the citizens’ perspective.”