Updated | Government 'insulting' public's intelligence - PL on Enemalta emissions breach

It is “an insult to the intelligence of the Maltese public” that the government hides behind the Delimara power station extension instead of saying who will shoulder the political responsibility for the mishap, says the Labour Party.

2 February 2011, 12:00am

1 min read

In a statement on Wednesday, PL spokespersons Leo Brincat and Joe Mizzi called on the government to assume political responsibility for the fact that the two power stations exceeded sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emission levels set by the EU.

They pointed out that the EU's national emissions ceiling directive had been breached when while the government has been boasting all along was using fuel with less sulphur content.

They called for concrete and immediate action plans by Government, instead of “many promises of projects that have yet to take place.” They slammed the attitude as one that shows the indifference of Government, calling on it to address this environmental deficit immediately.

In its reaction, the Finance Ministry maintained that the government's work towards cleaner air is embodied by its decision to shut down the Marsa Power Station and invest in a new Delimara Power Station Extension that "works within the best European Standards" as well as the interconnector with Sicily.

The Ministry also maintained that, despite the government's decision to shut down the power station, the government is also attempting to reduce emissions by changing the type of fuel oil used in the power station, installing equipment that reduces NOx emissions, and a combined cycle turbine that uses steam injection.

The ministry said that during 2011, Enemalta would keep working on ways to process fuel combustion additives and "secondary measures" that can reduce emissions.