EU Commissioner questioned on Kirkop plant

EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom has said that the relocation of the Multigas plant to Kirkop complied with Maltese legal requirements and the European Commission did not intend to broach the subject with the Maltese authorities, Alternattiva Demokratika said yesterday.

Ms Wallstrom was replying to questions about the gas plant tabled by Green Member of the European Parliament Alexander de Roo following a request by Kirkop mayor Mario Salerno.

"In her reply to the Green MEP, (Ms) Wallstrom said that given that the reallocation of the gas plant complied with the Maltese legal requirements at the time, and in the absence of evidence that any major breach of Community requirements during the authorisation process for this project had occurred, the European Commission does not intend at this stage to make any suggestion or request to the Maltese authorities regarding this project.

"Ms Wallstrom added that according to information received by the Maltese authorities, the gas plant does not come under the Council Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances," AD said.

The Environment Commissioner also said that in the absence of adequate detailed information on the location of the plant and the risks involved, the Commission was not in a position to express any opinion as to whether the distance of the plant from houses was appropriate or not. Community legislation in force does not establish any concrete limits in this respect and decisions have to be made on a case by case basis.

Ms Wallstrom added that conclusions from the environmental assessment procedure of the project indicate that there would be no significant noise pollution. Besides, the Works Department will not remain operative in that site, resulting in a net decrease in traffic.

However, she made it clear that as a EU member, by July 18, 2004, Malta would have to transpose and implement a new directive relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise.

Among other requirements, this directive calls for action plans in the vicinity of major transport infrastructures and in agglomerations with more than 250,000 inhabitants in a first phase (2007-2008) and more than 100,000 inhabitants in a second phase (2012-2013).

The AD's spokesman for EU Affairs, Arnold Cassola said:

"Through the European Greens, the mayor of Kirkop was able to put forward his legitimate concern regarding the reallocation of a gas plant to the European Commission.

"The Commission is making it clear that through EU membership, Malta will have to comply with EU environmental legislation, which in this case means that the residents of Kirkop will be safeguarded from noise pollution provided that Malta is considered one whole agglomeration.

"Alternattiva Demokratika will remain vigilant to ensure that the quality of life of Kirkop residents is safeguarded. If need be, further information will be submitted through the Greens in the European Parliament."

Both Multigas and Mr Salerno were yesterday unable to comment as they had not yet had a chance to assess the report.