Black dust report ‘not end of story’ - Jesmond Mugliett

Nationalist MP and former minister Jesmond Mugliett has challenged Enemalta to apologise to the public for the black dust generated by the Marsa power station, pouring scorn on the energy provider’s ‘categorical denial’ of all responsibility for the phenomenon.

“I feel that after more than one study has pointed towards Enemalta as the cause of black dust in localities like Fgura, Marsa, Paola and Tarxien, the residents of those towns deserve more respect from Enemalta.”

Mugliett added that it would be more useful for Enemalta to conduct its own inquiry into the Marsa power station, even if it disagreed with the conclusions of the Vella report, “so as to miminise any activity that may cause pollution.”

Mugliett’s challenge comes in the wake of a study commissioned by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa), that investigated the probable source of the black dust which has polluted Marsa and environs for years.

Conducted by Alfred Vella, who heads the Uni­ver­­sity’s Chemistry Department, the study concluded that the “most likely candidate source” for black dust collected from the Fgura area was the power plant. The study was conducted during the period between August 2009 and March 2010.

Enemalta responded by insisting that there was no evidence linking the Marsa power station to the black dust.

Mugliett was among the most vociferous government MPs to insist on studies to identify the source of the black dust, which was also problematic in his constituency. He insisted that the Vella report vindicated his concerns, but also raises further concerns.

“The story is not over yet,” Mugliett warned, adding that the report also raises questions as to why the first study had been inconclusive.

“Now that the Marsa power station is the likeliest source of the pollutant, then Enemalta definitely owes the nation an apology,” he said.

In 2000, a study conducted by British experts had also concluded that the Marsa power station was the “likely” source of black dust after traces of heavy metals were found in the samples, but in 2009, another study conducted by Mepa proved inconclusive after no heavy metals were found.

Mugliett had even challenged Mepa and the Prime Minister to collect samples of the black dust from the back yard of his home in Tarxien, but Mepa officials never turned up.

But now that the report indicates the Marsa power station as the most likely cause for the black dust, Jesmond Mugliett asks why doesn’t the report state under what circumstances is the black dust produced from the obsolete plant.

Mugliett claims that people have a right to know whether the black dust is being generated when the plant’s chimney’s precipitators are switched off as had happened in 2009, or when Enemalta performs a ‘blow-out’ of the system to clean its combustion outlets.

But Mugliett also throws in a loaded question, as to whether the black dust is the result of the plant being operated by heavy fuel oil.

“We have a right to know this, because the new plant at Delimara will work on heavy fuel oil,” Mugliett said.

In January last year, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi – who is also responsible for the planning authority – said the dust samples collected then were not sufficient to identify the source, although experts would be asked to explain their scientific analysis and conclusive position, once this was reached.

Gonzi had reiterated his commitment that MEPA experts would be asked to appear before a House committee to brief MPs on the black dust issue.

However, the Prime Minister said the tests so far showed that the soot did not include chemicals that would conclusively prove that it came from the power stations. He said every effort was being made to ensure that the tests were of the highest quality.

But the Prime Minister’s statement had enraged the Opposition bench with MP’s Joe Mizzi and Leo Brincat, labelling the issue a “tragi-comedy”.

Mizzi challenged MEPA to make specific tests which, according to him, would undoubtedly prove that the dust was coming from the Marsa power station, especially during the period when precipitators (filters) were absent.

The Prime Minister insisted that once studies are conclusive, all results will be made public.