Power station extension would not produce toxic waste - government

No toxic waste would be produced by the new power station, the government inisisted this afternoon.

Referring to an opposition statement earlier today, where it was claimed that the power station would be creating a tonne of heavy fuel oil sludge daily which the plant would be unable to fire from its machine pistons, the government said the opposition insisted on putting spokes in the wheels and alarming the people.

The Finance Ministry reiterated that the technology to be used was in line with European standards and the government was committed to implement the investment which would improve air quality in the interest of the people’s health.

The extension, it said, was in its majority being financed by the European Investment Bank which imposed strict rules and standards.

Malta was also duty bound to observe strict regulations in the environmental sector as an EU member.

The chosen plant, the government said, would meet the highest European standards, including German ones, as confirmed by the auditor in his investigations.

The government said that the waste procudes would be exported and the power station would remain subject to the highest quality control through the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Permit. The emissions limit would be fixed by Mepa which had to ensure that the plant operated in line with the Air Quality Framework Directive

The extension, the government said, was crucial to the country’s social, environmental and economic needs. It would lead to the closure of the Marsa plant, which was the country’s biggest source of pollution.

See also:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110205/local/new-power-station-waste-of-serious-concern-opposition