Stiffer Penalties, Restitution To Area Residents

“It’s time for government to legislate a uniformed and equal approach to restitution for Pembroke residents who are being negatively impacted by the BELCO’s North Power Plant,” OBA MP Susan Jackson said.

Ms Jackson — the MP for Pembroke South West — said, “Cleaning up clean air laws and imposing stiffer penalties for emissions is only part of the amendments needed to improve Bermuda’s environmental standards. Our laws must also include restitution to area residents who are exposed daily to the harsh pollutants that are negatively impacting personal health and private property.

“BELCO  has a corporate social responsibility to create and maintain a fully developed and ongoing remediation programme to address hazards impacting area residents while the Government must legislate comprehensive remediation programmes that are transparent and equal for all property owners who are affected in the area.”

Ms Jackson continues: “Those living in the shadows of the North Power Plant deserve access to a user friendly, non-confrontational platform where maintenance and possibly health related submissions are made and automatically addressed as part of an ongoing solution. BELCO, in turn, must provide fair market remediation and ongoing maintenance at no cost to the affected property owners.

“Presently, BELCO appears to have a variety of arrangements with area residents, which seem to vary based on how long a resident has been complaining or to whom the complaint was made. On the surface it seems relationships between BELCO and area residents are based on a number of factors. The inconsistent variety of solutions from one neighbour compared to the next is further causing confusion, anxiety and frustration.”

“All area residents should have equal access to effective maintenance and cleansing appliances such as water and air infiltration systems. Regular roof painting, tank cleaning and stain removal must be available to all affected residents without time consuming assessments and reviews.

“It is clear that published complaints are undeniably from BELCO’s emissions. There is no doubt, Bermuda’s enjoyment of reliable electricity comes with a heavy burden on those, who through no fault of their own, fall in the shadows of the pollutants.”

“The victims of BELCO’s environmental mishaps are proud land owners who deserve the same quality of life as any other Bermudian. It is undeserving that BELCO neighbours should have to bear the fallout of BELCO’s emissions . These are hardworking, experienced and educated Bermudians who only want fair and peaceful enjoyment of their piece of the rock.”

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Category: All, Environment, News