A candidate for the European Parliament elections, Stefano Mallia (PN), has listed questions which he would like to see answered by Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi about studies related to the new gas power station in Delimara.

In the wake of concerned raised by residents of towns and villages around Delimara, Mr Mallia asked:

 

1) Is it true that the gas dispersion model used to assess the risk of the Plant assumed a flat terrain with no consideration of the 70m cliffs at the rear of the power station?

2) Is it true that the gas dispersion model used is not specific to LNG but generic for other less hazardous gases?

3) Has a maritime impact assessment been carried out?

4) Has a risk assessment been carried out on ship-to-ship collision? Given that this 300 metre long vessel will be permanently moored in the busy port of Marsaxlokk, is the relative probability of such a collision high?

5) Is it true that there is no other floating LNG storage facility in the world that feeds directly into a power station except that proposed for Marsaxlokk?

6) Is Government going to publish the results of the Alternative Site Assessment for the floating storage of LNG – assuming that one was in fact carried out?

7) Is it true that the competent authority in Malta on control of major accidents and hazards did not endorse the risk assessment?

8) Has an impact assessment on the fishing community in Marsaxlokk and on Marsaxlokk as a tourist destination been carried out?

9) Has an impact assessment study on the effect of the property market in the south as a result of this proposal been carried out? How will the property insurance premium of household owners living in Marsaxlokk, Birzebbugia and Marsascala be affected?

10) Will the villages of Marsascala, Marsaxlokk and Birzebbuga be able to continue to have fireworks displays for their respective village feasts?

Mr Mallia said that whilst there was no doubt as to the environmental benefits a gas powered plant would bring, there were still many unanswered questions concerning the floating gas storage facility.

"I strongly believe that the minister responsible for this project, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi must ensure that these and similar questions that remain are cleared in an unequivocal manner before proceeding with this project".

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