Gas plant’s clean air technology ‘must proceed’ – FAA

Environmental NGO Flimkien ghal Ambient Ahjar has said it took “a conscious decision” not to be present for the public consultation held by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority board on Monday that approved a jetty for the berthing of an LNG vessel.

FAA, the only registered objector to the application – which is crucial to the government’s plans for a 215MW gas plant – said it had followed the various experts’ reports and concluded that, barring the need for a marine impact assessment, clean air technology should be allowed to proceed.

FAA spokesperson Astrid Vella told MaltaToday today that she was abroad, and referred the newspaper to the organisation’s official statement.

“This technology will help mitigate many of the health concerns of local residents. During these last two weeks Malta again witnessed an issue of national importance – in this case clean energy – reduced to political posturing and MEP election fever to the detriment of the voices of those living within the bay or their representatives.

“The politically partisan behaviour so typical of this country, does not contribute to clear analysis and discussion,” FAA said.

The NGO said that it was a shock to realise that it, despite the many voices arguing against the LNG vessel, it was the only registered official objector.

“Had the Prime Minister not taken the prerogative of not allowing any appeals there would have been no objectors to do so. As stated, FAA is in favour of this technology even more so when the local community, through their elected representatives, decided in favour of this clean technology.”

FAA said it had registered its objection on the possible archaeological sensitivity of the site, in the knowledge that even important discoveries would not deter the development.

“Sadly, the country is once more reminded that all developments of this magnitude are a foregone conclusion, without any hope of genuine public participation as in this case dismissed by the Prime Minister’s intervention informing all that there will be no delays or appeals to slow the process.”

At the start of the MEPA hearing, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat informed MEPA chairman Vince Cassar by means of a letter that if the project was approved, it would go ahead even if it was appealed by objectors.