Mepa approves outline permit for power station extension

daniel zerafa

Jan 31st 2010, 14:33

As a native from marsaxlokk, I am asking the rest of the Maltese, who like to come here for their sunday afternoons, for their evening dinners, for their admiration to the last traditional maltese village, for those who advertise malta abroad through media from this village HELP US!!

Anthony Pace Gouder

Jan 30th 2010, 09:38

Skoprew, DAQSXEJN TARD , li l-Power Stations bill kemm qed ilahhku mad- domanda ! u dan minkejja hawn "slowdown" fl'ekonomija !
IL-PM tant gera fil-paniku , mar jiffirma l-kuntratt u ISSA DAHAL FI-SQAQ li difficli johrog minnhu . Nissuggerilu ukoll li f'parti sostanzjali t'art madwar il - Power Station JIGU NSTALLATI MILL AKTAR FIS , numru ta 'Wind Turbines , WAQT il - bini taz-zewg cmieni godda , u jolqot zewg ghasafar b'gebla wahda .B'hekk niffrankaw xi ftit spejjez !

Paul Caruana

Jan 30th 2010, 08:19

The only reasonable solution, in the interests of people living in the vicinity (and I am not one of them!) is to run this new plant without the use of heavy fuel oil.

While this will probably mean even higher electricity bills for all of us, it is just not fair to lump the south of malta with even more problems, just so that the rest of us pay less.

J.Gauci

Jan 29th 2010, 21:55

Misskom tisthu tiddefendu lil Gonzi. lanqas shabu mhuma qed jiddefenduh ghax Jeffrey, arrigo u debono haduha kontra il-mepa ukoll. Gvern inkompetenti, arroganti u izolat!

A.Gauci Cunningham

Jan 29th 2010, 19:08

@K.Lia---I agree with you 100%....the Marsa power station has to close....but we've known this for ages....we've known that we have strict EU laws to adhere to. So why all this haste all of a sudden when the government had 4 years to settle the issue?
2---Delimara does need an extension yes.....but the plant does not or should not work with HFO going against the PN's own plans of using gas up to a few years ago!!
3----The mepa sitting was attended by citizens from the South....since when is voicing one's opinion considered to be a hijack?
4----So for this issue not to be so politically loaded what do you suggest we do? ignore it and pretend it does not exist pretty much like all the PN friendly media has been doing since it emerged?? Do I sense you blaming labour for this mess too??

Moral of the story----this contract stinks from top to bottom and goes against the government's environmental plans and reduces its "green" credibility to a big, fat zero. This government has lost the plot and we will be paying a dear price for it!!

Pule' Carmel

Jan 29th 2010, 14:13

The building and extention of powerstations in Malta is inevitable and all discussions are therefore, a waste of time.
The site where the powerstation is to be extended is always a subject for an argument so may I suggest the following.
All consumers living within half a kilometre from the station will get their electricity free
All consumers living within one kilometer from the station will pay half the price, those within two kilometers normal price and those beyond where they enjoy the countryside and still want to use the electricity that is generated more than four kilometers away , then they will pay double the price and so it goes on. Rather than a stepped tarriff , the tariff will be analogued proportional to the distance.
And all the multimillionaires would be asked to build their own state of the art home powerstation With heat retreaval for home heating, exhaust purification and silencing using the technique used in boats where the exhaust is passed through a water trap , to clean it down. And as far as fuel goes, hydrogen would be fine as the only remnants are a few drops of water, which one can wash with.

J.Pace

Jan 29th 2010, 12:53

Now to the Toxic plant that is being planned, and by time it is ready, it will be already outdated and not good for EU .
Can someone pls confirm me this. It is the first one in EU ?? It is approved by EU, with all the toxic waste that was menthioned.
Also Were are we going to store all that toxic, how much will it cost to export ?

Christopher Cutajar

Jan 29th 2010, 12:07

Now that the opposition has not made it through the institutional corridors, the streets should be used as a compensatory mechanism.

Not enough is being done on the street level. Proof of this is the poor presence of people from the neighboring villages, attending this meeting. Although the new media should be exhausted, the direct contact with people and their local squares still remains the best way how to communicate. In this way people are more conscious, and their participation bring more pressure on the authorities.

The vote taken by MEPA confirms that our national authorities are being diametrically opposed to the popular will. The opposition is making good use of parliament, now is high time to make good use of the streets.

Christopher Cutajar

Joseph Arpa

Jan 29th 2010, 11:04

WHAT A DEMOCRATIC DICTATORSHIP OF A COUNRTY!!!

J.Cauchi

Jan 29th 2010, 11:01

@Johnny casillas---Do we care if you're a multi millionaire? Should your opinion be more weighty because you have a lot of money?.......well at least it'll be good to know which door to knock when our air becomes toxified by this dust! I'll come knockin on your door.........

Lewis Ellul

Jan 29th 2010, 09:06

And yet again another stab in the back to common Maltese citizens by the privileged few in the upper echelon of our two-tier society. With their motto "IL-GVERN TAGHNA U NAGHMLI LI RRIDU" and in full control of all the important institutions (MEPA, PBS, most published media) they use their politically-blinkered acolytes to force and implement their decisions. About time the people of Malta - and especially those living in the south - wake up and start showing their teeth.

K. Lia

Jan 29th 2010, 09:03

@ Gauci Cunnigham
So? That was NOT what was to be decided at the sitting. The decision was to see IF an extension could be built not WHAT KIND of extension. Those are pleasures yet to come and I might even then agree with you that heavy fuel oil is not an option. Main issues are:
1. Marsa has to close.
2. Dellimara needs an extension.
3. Logic dictates an extension on site.
4. The sitting was politically hijacked
5. When the real issue - the kind of fuel/technology to be used, comes up for a decision, the issue will be so politically loaded that the residents will get the raw deal.

Moral of the story: politicians may help to support your cause but in effect they support their own cause.

johnny casillas

Jan 29th 2010, 09:01

As a multimillionaire living in Malta, i think this is a good investment. the impact is really important and the governmetnt has made a very wise decision. this is good onvestment for the future which most business will depend. malta needs businesses to survive the economy. without power how can business move. so power station is of relevance. forget about the environment. you dont have a lot of manufacturing compnaies here so sacrifices have to be made. this is the best investment in Malta so far.

J Oatmon

Jan 29th 2010, 06:06

The only reason I can see for this 'unseemly hasty decision' is someone at MEPA has recieved an 'incentive' from an entity involved in this project.

The government debate should start by setting aside this MEPA 'biased' decision pending adoption of the new regulations, and their application to the new procedure.

There must be a total ban on forward movement on this 'dodgy project' until a full review is made, and the plan is approved by the government.

J. M. Buhagiar

Jan 29th 2010, 03:37

Dear Mr Robert Scullion, as I understand it from your input, "If the country isn't making enough money then cutbacks need to take place."

Please! Go have a look at the year on year increase in Goverment revenue from taxes/indirect taxes before you say Goverment is not making enough money.

Truth is All-of-Us in the private sector learned that in a highly competitive free environment, you have to make a 10 year plan - with a strategy (road to get there) without compromising Quality, Employee productivity/Effectiveness and Expenditure. Overspending is not an option we can consider. We cannot ask anyone for more to survive.

Our Goverment (by Government I mean all the Qualities & Productivity of people working for Goverment and not Dr. Gonzi,) have not learned this yet. Some 20 years ago, MSU once worked out efficiency of some goverment-departments. Where-are-we-now!

Myself, I "surely welcome someone telling THE COUNTRY that present situation cannot continue." Re "Or would I prefer if the country kept spending more than it could earn" I tell you: The country (Goverment + Private, People & Processes) are not spending more that they can earn. Goverment People & Processes continue to spend more! Unacceptable.

b.busuttil

Jan 29th 2010, 00:29

"Enemalta engineer Peter Grima confirmed that the type of plant that would be installed in Delimara did not exist anywhere else." ... poor malta

i.cilia

Jan 28th 2010, 22:07

Frankly i cannot understand all those who are opposing this..

true, maybe HFO is one of the dirtiest around.. however this PS meets the EU thresholds, which, changed at the 11th hour or not are pretty rigorous..

gas would be ideal.. however there is a teeny weeny little problem.. Malta cannot store enough gas, because we have no suitable infrastructure to do so... maybe it is government's shortsightedness .. fine but the fact remains that we need this power station, because electricity supply is not constant and we need to comply with EU regs..

so basically this is the best we can have in the current situation.. and personally i believe that PL should look at all aspects and not just complain... Joseph Paroli should come down with decent alternatives
unless of course in this power station conflict theory Joseph has ulterior motives... the way he stood up for the israeli company does set me thinking hard...

and if this is the cheapest and best option that we can have at the moment, for me it is good enough since utility bills are high enough already...

Joe Busuttil

Jan 28th 2010, 21:26

You needn't be a soothsayer to guess what the result would be. Wish it would be that easy to guess all the super 5 numbers ,week after week. To all Gonzi PN supporters living near the future soot emitting chimney; Enjoy the view and breathe the pure air. You deserve it.

Joanne Micallef

Jan 28th 2010, 19:32

These people have just agreed to take a gamble with the lives of thousands.

This is nothing short of a scandal, some things are priceless ones health and a clean and safe enviroment fall into that category.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Jan 28th 2010, 19:23

The issue is not and never was whether or not an extension should be built (K.Lia pls note) the issue here is whether it makes sense that we are going to use heavy fuel oil which as Edward Mallia (a very respected environmentalist) said is the worst possible alternative we could have chosen not only because it is "dirty" but also because we are going to end up with thousands of tonnes of toxic dust which up to now we're not even sure where its going to end. We do know that it is going to cost us an extra 12 million euros per annum though! The issue here is that the environmental laws of Malta were changed at the eleventh hour and had they not BWSC would not have won the contract and all this hullabulloo would not have emerged in the first place. The issue here is that this technology is a prototype which means that it is NOT tried or tested. The issue here is how the tender was awarded to BWSC. Address these issues and I'm sure PL will be four square behind this extension. Dont address them and you'll keep finding solid opposition!!

tony abela

Jan 28th 2010, 19:12

The case officer report said: “The EIS has predicted a number of potential impacts on the environment as a result of the proposal, some of which are major negatives. The mitigation measures and monitoring proposed in the EIS are aimed at minimizing and controlling the predicted impacts of the proposals.”

Please dear bloggers who support the extension as proposed note that MEPA itself accepts the fact that according to the EIS there will be a number of major negative impacts.

The issue is not the extension, but the technology selected. If the extension would be using other technology which is more green and clean, such as gas, the general oposition to the project would have never arose.

RH Bugeja

Jan 28th 2010, 18:59

To all the bloggers who @ this point are still supporting in a brainwashing manner the insanity of their party in government:
....Have an iota of respect for the people who are suffering due to the extremely unsafe conditions which have been imposed onto them by this decision. Blue or Red one is still going to feel the terrible effects the same way. I don't think that at this point one should discuss colors but one should look at the real picture. A picture which looks PITCH BLACK.

Anthony Pace Gouder

Jan 28th 2010, 18:38

GONZI-PN's political suicide ?
All The Local Councils PN + PL in the AREA ,and their constituents should unite and organize a common front IF THEY REALLY WANT TANGIBLE RESULTS. Just Complaining will not work !
A few years ago a good number of Local Councils had JOINED FORCES IN OPPOSITION of a Projected Cement Production Plant , and against all odds their persistant efforts were rewarded , as the project was scrapped .

Duncan Sant

Jan 28th 2010, 18:36

A lot of bloggers are missing the point here. The issue is not the extension per se, but other factors, mainly:
1. Fuel used. Hevy oil fuel is much more polluting than gas and it needs to be changed again in about 7 years time.
2. The tender process, with accusations of bribes, mis-practice, etc
3. Conflict of interest. The government has already given the contract, MEPA board members are all-but-1 chosen by the government, and therefore are not going to vote against it.
4. Information given by the tender winner is incomplete/inaccurate

Nobody is saying that we do not need an extension to the existing PS. The problem lies with the factors mentioned above.

M. Pace

Jan 28th 2010, 18:25

I am deeply sorry for this country... unlucikly we really do not deserve better because it's all our fault!!

s farrugia

Jan 28th 2010, 18:07

@ all who agree with the permit
it is all about using heavy oil or gas.we can generate elec by using gas and not contaminate the south.money no problem so

Peter Azzopardi

Jan 28th 2010, 17:28

It's time to wake up people, this is Madness.

j. Carabott

Jan 28th 2010, 17:27

Where was Franco Debono this morning? Shouldn't he have been defending his constituents of Birzebbugia and Marsaxlokk? I thought he was all out to defend the south of the south. The public hearing was a good opportunity for him but guess what he did not show up. Hallina Dottor Franco?

Robert Caruana

Jan 28th 2010, 17:27

Is there any logic in going for untried technology just because it happens to be cheaper? So do we now keep our fingers crossed and hope that it works well?

M.Zarb

Jan 28th 2010, 16:59

A prototype?? B'sahhitna iridu jaghmlu l-imhatri daw tal-Mepa? Misskhom tisthu tal-PN......qridtuna lil tas-south!

Patrick Zahra

Jan 28th 2010, 16:59

GonziPN you can wave a big bye bye to my vote, once and for all!

Jimmy Magro

Jan 28th 2010, 16:58

@carmel callus
You have completely missed my point. The quesion is about the conflict of interest and not the power station. Maybe bloggers should try to understand the point before putting something on the web.

lgalea

Jan 28th 2010, 16:51

D Debono perhaps little pn elves who find nothing wrong with a power station should state where they live so that the people would know whether they would like a power station in their backyard.

Joseph E Briffa Who has been in office for the last 23 years apart from a short break Joseph? Incompetent PN. Remember we were told that the Delimara power station would serve Malta and the increased demand for some 50 years?

The PL representatives presented evidence of under the table dealings and yet the arrogant and incompetent MEPA board members choose to go ahead. They are thus condoning BWSC corruption which has been exposed to in the international media.

http://subicbaynews.blogspot.com/2009/11/payumo-tagged-in-power-station.html
1999 internal documents reveal $90,000 were paid in bribes to Felicito Payumo, a high ranking official in the Philippines, concerning the Subic Bay power project. These 'payments' were approved by BSWC director, Soren Barkholt...

m pace 2

Jan 28th 2010, 16:50

To Mr Jason Attard about we built a extension of so called power staion next door to your house any sugestion you say to your political party you supposed to supported maybe you change your vote in the next election or you are one eye blue voter were ever Mr GonziiPN says you expected
To all the people from the south were ever your political beliefs stands wake up and sent a message to the government

Ian Fenech

Jan 28th 2010, 16:36

There is no plot against the people in the south. There is one simple reason why the powerstation is built there - 300 days a year the wind blows to the south and thus carries all the toxic fumes toward North Africa. Having the powerstation anywhere else would simply blow these fumes over Malta thus causing another problem like in Marsa...........
The reality is that Malta CANNOT AFFORD ANYTHING. This problem with the powerstation has been coming for years....its just that at this point we have no choice left. Its either that or no electricty,..... simples really.
The government is simply with its back to the wall.......and to think that 20,000 families are getting electricty subsidised as they cannot afford it ( thats nearly 1/4 th the population in Malta!!!!!!).
Lets face the reality we have been living beyond our means for years and none of the politcal parties had the courage to face up to all the cash cows in malta - DryDocks, Hospital, Powerstation and now even the bus drivers....all this because of fears of loosing votes.

manuel lia

Jan 28th 2010, 16:29

mela in 1989 ma ridtux il power station ta delimara u issa ma tridux lextension....insomma is soltu mlp...kollox kontra .......ara tergux tmorru taharqu it tyres...kif kontu amiltu...messu sema mill mlp il gvern u ma amilx il power station ta delimara dak iz zmien....konna nirrangaw ruhna kieku....din sieheb tal freeport... lewwel ivvotajtu favur fil parlament imbad ax gie approvat il permess mill mepa qed tghidu kontra....imma kif ma tinbidlu qatt....mhux ta bxejn ha tkunu ilkom kwart ta seklu fil bankijiet ta loppozizzjoni...

K Lia

Jan 28th 2010, 16:13

Hello! All u guys who are getting so het up.,, Do u advise that the extension of the pwere station should be extended elswhere, so the whole power station relocated?

If yes, pl put your money where your mouth is and suggest a site.

A. Mizzi

Jan 28th 2010, 16:05

Something sure smells FISHY and not because it is at Marsaxlokk.

I just cannot decide between Dr. Gonzi and MEPA, who is Dr. Frankenstein and who is the Frankenstein Monster ?

Is it truely MEPA the Frankenstein monster ?

Give out the names of the MEPA Board members.

duncan cassar

Jan 28th 2010, 16:02

What a surprise another project in the SOUTH of Malta, what a POWER STATION ext oh i thought a Hotel viva SOUTH as usual power station,freeport fish farms e bilhaqq u il gawra RECYCLING PLANT .

J.Cauchi

Jan 28th 2010, 15:43

@Jason Attard---So let me see if I get this right! You expect the PL to just stand there like Humpty Dumpty on a great wall while the Prime Minister together with MEPA's blessing approve a contract that will work with the dirtiest possible oil i.e Heavy Fuel Oil. You want the PL to sit pretty while the government changes the environmental laws of malta to satisy a particular company. You expect the PL to stay sealed while we have to deal with 3,000 tonnes of toxic dust that is going to cost 12 million to transport over and above the 200 million being spent and the 4 million commission.

The PL will be irresponsible if it had to stay put and it is the only political entity that is fighting in the name of the thousands of citizens who will be paying for this stinking contract

@MEPA-------a bit more, one other decision such as this and we can start calling you MPPN (Malta Pjanar a la Partit Nazzjonalista). hang your heads in shame if you know how to spell shame Mister Walker.. The day of reckoning will arrive and you'll have to face our childrens' and their children's fury

K Lia

Jan 28th 2010, 15:22

Ok. Shame on MEPA.

By the way...suggestions for alternative sites are welcome.

Please do not swamp me with submissions.

D Debono

Jan 28th 2010, 15:19

This country needs to close down Marsa Powerstation and this had to be done in two years time. For this to happen we need to upgrade the Delimara Powerstation...

A serious government takes decisions and these decisions need to be taken fast ...

Labour is only playing games to try and destabilise government...u mela ghax jimpurthom minnha li noqghodu fis-south!!

TO ALL ELVES ie Bloggers! Give us a break ... go clap for Joseph!

jimi Xerri

Jan 28th 2010, 15:12

Outline Development Application not Full Development Application, still a long way to go!
Is anybody questioning the need to remove the Marsa Power Station and construct a new one with much better technology. It it where for me I would go for solar, but we need to have a large span of land for this purpose.

Joseph Brincat

Jan 28th 2010, 14:59

Eu, GonziPN, I have no more confidence in you.

From now on you can do whatever you like, I don't care.

M Muscat

Jan 28th 2010, 14:57

Leo Brincat jidher li hu kontra ghax ir-riforma tal-MEPA hi kontra permessi ODZ. Qed nifhem sew li allura qed jissugerixxi li l-power station tinbena f'xi pjazza ta' xi rahal?

N Xuereb

Jan 28th 2010, 14:55

MEPA is just a pupet for Dr. Gonzi and he should just leave before making more harmful decisions.

Joseph E Briffa

Jan 28th 2010, 14:44

Without this extension in opoeration within the next couple of years it will not be possible to meet the demand, unless the Marsa PS keeps plodding on. If the Marsa Plant is NOT closed down by then, Malta will be heavily fined. So it seems as though this is a balancing act between retaining Marsa plant with its attendant consequences and going for a new plant at Delimara. The lesser evil appears to be the extension of the Delimara plant. Without it Malta will be in a catastrophic situation. A new plant is always better and less damaging environmentally than the old Marsa plant which should have been shut down ages ago. The connection with the European grid should also be in place by the time the Marsa plant is closed down, which should help matters considerably. So let's carry on with the extension and forget about the nitty gritty. Projects of this magnitude always have gainers and losers. The gainers are the people of Malta as they are assured the supply of energy; reps of the contractors will invariably benefit. This is obvious and happens everywhere. Plants are built in the south as the prevailing wind is the NW.

joseph mifsud

Jan 28th 2010, 14:42

veru qed nghixu go pajjiz iddadorjat kif progett bhall dan ta interss nazzjonali gie approvat mil mepa li fija xi duzzana nies kollox u hadu decizzjoni huma meta il bierah bdiet tinstema fil parlament u jien ma nafx kif din id diskussjoni ma marretx ghall vot tal membri tal parlament xqed jahbi gonzi jaqaw qed jibza li jerga jitlef vot sew jgid il malti il huta mir rasa tinten.

Mark Farrugia

Jan 28th 2010, 14:41

Ergajna daqqa ohra ghan naha t'isfel ta Malta, Grazzi Sur Gvern !!!

George Cutajar

Jan 28th 2010, 14:40

Why are we all so negative? We should be very proud of our efficient electricity service provider for having gone for innovative rather than the tried and tested equipment. It might just work and keep power cuts to an acceptable minimum.

After all Enemalta have now found a very efficient system to collect the money due to them for the service they give ( or do not give , depending on where you live). The next step now is to find a way to provide us with the service they are already billing us for. At the end of the day it is all a matter of priorities.

Paul Caruana

Jan 28th 2010, 14:40

The words "first of its kind" are somewhat unsettling. We depend absolutely on this new extension if we are to close the Marsa one in time before incurring the wrath of the EU. We need tried and tested technology which works the first time!

Experimentation is not an option.

VV Bartolo

Jan 28th 2010, 14:38

haha ... as if we had any doubts that MEPA wouldn't approve the extension! come on guys stop fooling us. shame on the MEPA board!!

D. Scerri

Jan 28th 2010, 14:36

MEPA: You disgust me and thousands more living in these islands.

JPO: Make a stand. Make us proud.

Ronald Zammit

Jan 28th 2010, 14:34

Shame on you MEPA and shame on you GonziPN. The people are not against the extention of the power station as this is a must, BUT against the arrogance and methods shown and taken in this project. The issue on this should have been discussed in Parliament before and not after the decission by MEPA. Vera gibtu il pajjiz rediculu u tal MIKI MOUSE !!! Shame Shame Shame!!!

lgalea

Jan 28th 2010, 14:33

Jason Attard
Why don't you tell the people where you live and suggest that a power station be built next to your house?

G Bugeja

Jan 28th 2010, 14:31

JPO, Franco, Jesmond - ALL TALK NO ACTION. Gonzi and MEPA literally steamrolled over you.

Now it's time time to show what kind of skin you are made of.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 28th 2010, 14:30

Shame. This is a black day that makes me wish I was born somewhere else.

JOHN AGIUS

Jan 28th 2010, 14:12

Rigward is-suggett:

Kienet haga ovvja li l-Mepa ser tapprova l-estensjoni tal-power station ta' Delimara u ghalxejn joqghod jiftahar il-Prim Ministru li l-Gvern ma ghamel l-ebda interferenza fil-process. Hu jaf li din kienet applikazzjoni li qed jaghmel il-Gvern u li l-ufficcjali tal-MEPA huma kollha ufficcjali tal-istess Gvern! Jiena nghid li dan il-kaz ghandu jigi trattat bl-istess mod u manjiera kif kien trattat il-progett nazzjonali tal-yacht marina fil-waterfront tal-Birgu fl-1998. Hekk titlob l-irgulija, Sur Prim Ministru! Dan il-progett ghandu jersaq quddiem l-oghla istituzzjoni tal-pajjiz biex id-Deputati Parlamentari miz-zewg nahat tal-Kamra jivvotaw favur jew kontra skont dak li jhossu. Jekk il-Prim Ministu huwa kunfidenti bizzejjed li ser jakkwista maggoranza parlamentari, ghandu jiddikjara li dan mhuwiex biss vot favur jew kontra l-estensjoni tal-Power Station imma huwa vot ta' fiducja fil-Gvern tieghu u allura jkun qed jorbot id-destin tieghu ma' dan l-istess vot.

James Grech

Jan 28th 2010, 14:11

@Jason Attard
At this time and age, it is imperative that choices taken on issues as important as an extension to a power station are dealt with in a rigorous manner keeping in mind the environmental and social impact. Nobody is saying that we should not move forward or that we do not need such an extension. But it does not make sense to opt to create yet another Marsa power station.
You say "If the Gov made a bad decision on the generation choise then he and unfortunately all Malta will pay for it"..Government had from 2005 to think out and choose the best solution, yet it seems that it has not really made its homework right. Many experts in the field are pointing out that the heavy fuel oil solution is not in the best interest of the Maltese, furthermore the way in which the supplier has been chosen does not really shine with transparency.

G. Desira

Jan 28th 2010, 14:07

Can someone from the government declare why all the industry is taken place in the south off Malta. In other parts of Malta and Gozo there are ports also to install a new power station and other industrial etc.... Lets us live, we cannot stand any more health damage to our lives. We had more than enough in the south.Keep the balance, we have the right to live in good health, I don t' have to sell my house and by a house away from the infected poluted air,which i breath.

Carm V Diacono

Jan 28th 2010, 14:07

This stinks. "Enemalta engineer confirms proposed equipment is first of its kind"

Anyone who wants to know how much this issue stinks should watch again the debate between Gonzi and Muscat on Bondi+ during which Lawrence Gonzi explained that the proposed equipment is suitable for small islands and is already being used by other islands such as Corsica and Cyprus.

Remove your partisan blinkers folks, Joseph Muscat was right once again. This is another case of Gonzi's deceit. It is such a threat to our environment and health and the Nationalist media is only focused on how can it win back the Mosta local council. What a shameful Party in Government!

Jason Attard

Jan 28th 2010, 14:02

As usual !!! Labour vote against EVERYTHING and say that all is BAD without giving a possible solution.

This country MUST move forward. If the Gov made a bad decision on the generation choise then he and unfortunately all Malta will pay for it. We have what we have and Marsa HAS to bel shutdown and a new generation plant HAS to be built... otherwise back to the 80's when we used to have 3 or 4 times a week without power.

laurence schembri

Jan 28th 2010, 13:59

Absolute arrogance. Time for an election. Please do Malta a favour, just go.

J.Pace

Jan 28th 2010, 13:51

Do a parliament Vote!

Give the people what they want …
People want to see how really cares and represent them!

carmel callus

Jan 28th 2010, 13:37

Are Jimmy Magro and the like expecting government not extend the power station? Hows can the country, then, meet the ever rising demand, especially with the closing down of the Marsa Power Station?

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 28th 2010, 13:37

Jimmy Magro has a very valid point. Conflict of interest.

Moreover the whole process is illegal,immoral and its going to make some cats very fat.

lgalea

Jan 28th 2010, 13:26

Austin Walker, Gonzi and the board, you do not have any trust by the vast majority of the Maltese citizens.
NO ONE BELIEVED A SINGLE WORD THAT YOU SAY.
GONZI SAVE MALTA AND THE MALTESE CITIZENS.
STOP THE PROJECTS, SCRAP MEPA AND RESIGN.

A Farrugia

Jan 28th 2010, 13:24

@Joseph Saliba
'what will happen if' one day they will be in power". I would like to think that this will happen sooner rathe than later. Just like the middle income and hard working families, almost half of the Nationalist Party beckbench are now looking forward to a Labour Party in government.

Lawrence Fenech

Jan 28th 2010, 13:23

What a shame so many dont's falling on deaf ears in many national decisions with the one in question. There is only one decider Gonzi. It does not matter what the entire population thinks.

joseph saliba

Jan 28th 2010, 12:59

All this arrogance from the opposition. 'what will happen if' one day they will be in power. God forbid. God help us.

J.Pace

Jan 28th 2010, 12:56

A project like this should be first decided in the parliament “BY VOTE” were the MPs are representing the people who voted them, not pass directly to MEPA (also Mepa is in Gonzi’s hands), or is there something fishy and the PM is worried and not sure that his members are all with him on this project. Where are the people representatives?? Only every 5 years we are important for the ministers.

Jimmy Magro

Jan 28th 2010, 12:32

The members of the Board appointed by Government should not be allowed to vote on this application as they have a conflict of interest. This is a government-led application, even it is done by the fully state-owned corproation EneMalta Corporation, and therefore the members sitting on the Board of MEPA cannot vote.

Their conflict of interest arises since these are appointed by Government they have to follow Government's policy and vote in favour. In doing so these members are not voting in accordance with their thoughts, belief or opinion but are just following their master's orders. A vote made under these conditions is null and void.

How can anyone state that the Government is not interfering with the decisions made by MEPA when the same Government holds the majority on the MEPA Board. How long are we going to be fed this outdated rice that is note even good for any abondned cat loitering on our potholed streets.

The next statement we will hear is that the Cabinet voted in favour nem con. During the meeting a big banner on the cabinet room wall read "Those not voting in favour are to present their resignation letter before voting".

Mike Magri

Jan 28th 2010, 12:05

I am very very sorry but, after so MANY Unbeleivable and Questionable Strange Decisions i have now COMPLETELY LOST the little Trust, Accountability and YOU NAME IT, which i `MIGHT..!!!` have had in both MEPA and especially GonziPN`s Regime & Co.

SHAME... SHAME..... SHAME....

joe cassar

Jan 28th 2010, 12:05

Fejn kienu Leo Brincat u Evarist meta Mintoff li huma kienu jissaportjaw ikkreja muntanja tal-faham fil- Marsa bil problemi kollha u inkonvenjenzi li kellhom isofru in-nies tal-Marsa. issa qed jiddefendu lin-nies ta' Marsaxlokk minhabba ftit hsejjes. Qatt ma rajt ipokrizija bhal din min politici.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 28th 2010, 11:50

Last month Labour leader Dr Joseph Muscat and Labour MP Evarist Bartolo met the National Auditor and presented him documents to show that both Lahmeyer International and BWSC were represented in Malta by Joseph Mizzi through Typeset Limited.

Joseph Mizzi, on behalf of BWSC, submits a tender for the extension of the power station. He boasts with his principals that he has good political connections and friends at Enemalta. The Government changes the law to increase the bench mark regulating emissions and by doing so BWSC overcomes its difficulties. Enemalta consults with Lahmeyers International through Joe Mizzi’s Typeset Ltd. who in turn strongly recommends BWSC.

The majority of our MPs urged MEPA to take a rain check for its discussion yet with unprecedented arrogance MEPA totally ignores the appeal of the people’s representatives in our highest institution.

The case officer report is expected to recommend MEPA to issue an initial permit for the 144MW extension, currently the subject of an investigation by the Auditor General, over claims of irregularities in the tendering process.

Tal biki man meta tiftakar li 40% tal Maltin ivvutawlhom.

January 28 should be declared a ‘Day of National Mourning’

Tony Abela

Jan 28th 2010, 11:32

"The Mepa Environment Protection Directorate is proposing the inclusion of an obligation in the power station extension permit so that the operator would be required to supply, via the internet, regular data on emissions from the power station."

And what will happen if during the operational lifetime of the Exteneded Power Station the operator fails to provide regularly the correct and certified data on-line about the emissions from the power station???

Will MEPA have the necessary legal and moral will teeth to stop the operation?

Even if it may have the least say in this matter, what will we do with a good percentage of our power generation shut down?

It is neither convincing nor promising for the economy of these islands and its people.

E Vella

Jan 28th 2010, 11:20

Hawn hekk il gvern qed juru bic car li mhux qed jghati kaz is sahha tan nies u l anqas l ambjent ta Delimara!!! Marsaxlokk zona turistika...iva...pero qeda in naha ta isfel ta Malta u ma jimpurtax li jsir dan kollhu!!!

SHAME...SHAME...SHAME

M. Busuttil

Jan 28th 2010, 11:16

"The government insisted it would not interfere in Mepa procedures" -

....in the meantime the Government has already awarded the contract.....simly TAD-DAHK!!!

Mhux ovvja li l-Mepa is going to give approval!!! Mickey Mouse Land

a. Mizzi

Jan 28th 2010, 11:16

MEPA Rules OK!

why wait for the reform which might give this Gonzipn created Monster CREDIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY?

S Rizzo

Jan 28th 2010, 11:06

Humm--interesting article especially where it say "The government insisted it would not interfere in Mepa procedures "???? I thought Gonzi was incharge of overlooking MEPA activities and procedures?? Is he not " Government"???? It seems we still have puppets without strings, everyone off in every direction and no well real thought out plans for anything.

Victor Laiviera

Jan 28th 2010, 10:55

"The government insisted it would not interfere in Mepa procedures"

But MEPA does what the Board decides. And the members of the board (except one) are all hand-picked by the Prime Minister.

It is time we allocated responsiblity where it really belongs.