The first RAB (Residential Advisory Board) organised by the Hera Group started up in northwestern Ferrara (Circoscrizione Nord Ovest) where Hera manages a waste-to-energy plant, at present undergoing upgrading work.
Work started up at the RAB in May 2005, following intensive promotion work, presenting this instrument to the general public. This called for involvement of many of the local environmental groups (including the so called "Against WTE committees"). Door-to-door leafleting took place and many meetings were held at various important local venues (ARCI and other recreational groups etc.).
RABs (Residential Advisory Boards) are a way companies and the public at large can get together and exchange information and monitor environmental indicators. RABs facilitate communication, information exchanges and interaction between companies and local communities in the urbanized areas in the vicinity of corporate plants. This mechanism was tried out for the first time in 1998 in Holland on the outskirts of Rotterdam, hosting a petrochemical complex managed by Shell. The aim is to create communication and interaction modes between parties in operations involving large companies or aggregations of companies within contexts in which potential or likely adverse effects or risks are associated with corporate activities, directly impacting the urban environment.
The RAB is made up of nine members democratically elected by citizens during a public assembly, three representatives of the Municipality of Ferrara (these are the chairman of the borough council, a town councillor from the majority grouping and a town councillor from the minority grouping) and three representatives from Hera (the manager of the Local Operating Company, the customer care manager and the quality, safety and environment manager).
THE FIRST RISULTS
After a period of nearly one year, we begin to see the first results of the intense work and considerable efforts toward involvement undertaken by the board in order to generate trust on a public opinion level.
RAB members from the citizenry can freely access the Hera plants in Ferrara, in order to personally check on operations and view the main documents (analysis of atmospheric emissions, waste products records etc.). This is an initial tangible sign of application of our corporate transparency policy.
The first public assembly took place in October 2005. This was the occasion for presenting the work done up to that point, the regulations adopted and the agenda for future work.
The RAB office was inaugurated on this occasion. At the office, board members are on hand every Saturday morning to provide explanations and respond to requests from the public at large.
In January 2006, after members of the public raised questions as to the "regular" functioning of the treatment plant, a visit to the plant took place, including inspection of the function parameters. In February, a request was received from the RAB, whereupon analysis was conducted (by a laboratory approved by the citizens) of the waste-to-energy chimney plant flue (emission particulate matter (PM10) assay).
The RAB members meet up every fifteen days for in-depth discussion of the environmental implications of Hera operations.
Hera plans to extend the RAB experience in Ferrara to other areas where construction work is underway on new waste disposal or energy production plants.
In 2005, Hera Ravenna organised and implemented a yearly plan for meetings with local stakeholders (mayors, representatives from the boroughs, providers of tourist information and services, trade associations, consumer associations etc.) to look into issues of interest to the general public.