An Offaly Power Station's redevelopment plans have been refused by An Bord Pleanála, leaving hundreds of jobs at risk.
The future for hundreds of employees at Bord na Móna and the ESB is now up in the air.
An Bord Pleanála says a plan to switch from turf to biomass at the Shannonbridge plant wouldn't be environmentally sustainable.
The ESB says it's examining the refusal by the planning appeals board.
The board says staff will be briefed in the days ahead.
Local TD, Denis Naughten, has desribed today's news as a “devastating blow to whole region", which has "far reaching implications for 1000’s of jobs and families across the midlands".
Taoiseach must convene emergency Cabinet Sub Committee meeting today following planning decision on West Offaly Power https://t.co/hoIgA66iTH
— Denis Naughten (@DenisNaughten) July 23, 2019
