Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has written to the Health and Safety Authority and the Environment Authority insisting that the controversial LNG tanker should not be allowed to anchor in Marsaxlokk Bay until risk assessment reports are published.

Dr Busuttil referred to the Seveso III Directive, of which Malta is a signatory, which lays down that the authorities cannot allow the operation of any entity unless sufficient measures to prevent and mitigate incidents are in place.

The directive also says that information about risk assessments needs to be regularly given to all those seen to be in danger.

The tanker arrived in Malta yesterday.

MINISTER'S REACTION

In a reaction, minister Konrad Mizzi said there would be full transparency in the IPPC procedure for the granting of an operations permit for the new power station.

He said the Opposition leader was continuing to show that he was against the substitution of heavy fuel oil with gas for cleaner energy generation. He was continuing to fight the new power station project, even though it meant lower power tariffs.

The government's energy plan would see a 90 per cent reduction in dust pollutants and a 50 per cent drop in total emissions. The project included the close of the Marsa power station and the decommissioning of the old Delimara power station and demolition of its high chimney.