ESG Press Release re LNG and Clarification sought 20th November 2015

The ESG would like to voice its view following a number of consultations held with Government and its agencies on the proposed LNG Storage for the new power station.

Naturally we welcomed the opportunity of meeting HSL and Shell and being able to directly place our key concerns and questions to them.

Some of our issues were allayed – some not. Arising from those meetings, and in the knowledge that additional hard facts and information will emerge from the many reports, assessments and EIA coming up, the ESG is taking the opportunity offered to ask Shell a number of unanswered questions which we believe need clarification in what is Gibraltar’s largest project today.

The questions which we are asking directly to Shell at this juncture are based on: making available previously requested documentation; for worst case scenarios to be technically explained and resourced; and for all alternative or potentially alternative sites to the North Mole for LNG storage to be presented including risk evaluation, costings, designs and explanations on decision given.

All this is especially pertinent given an unexpected development this week when Mr. Joe Bossano stated clearly that Shell’s only interest in supplying LNG for the power station is the bunkering business it will facilitate – something that has been consistently denied when raised by the ESG. Also very worrying to us is the declaration that the storage tanks at the North Mole could be servicing the bunkering requirements, with the necessary increase in the re-fuelling frequency this will represent. This has again been categorically denied at the highest level in Government when raised by the ESG in recent meetings. The ESG therefore calls for urgent clarification on these comments.”

ESG Radio Newsletter 12th November 2015

Hi there- midterm break over and election hustings are now well underway. The ESG has published its wish list along with several other NGOs and Associations. For those who still may not have seen or read our wish list you can find this on our website at esg-gib.net. It includes 15 separate areas we continue to monitor and lobby on.

The first is on Climate Change and the need to engage the community more widely with issues relating to this major global challenge. We call for public presentations on Gibraltar’s approach in addressing this important issue, which primarily involves choices and use of energy, waste and recycling management, transport and more. It is true to think that with the internet and social media more people are better informed, but in order for every country, however big or small, to meet what will become increasingly harder goals and targets to reach over the next few decades, communities must be on-board for these measures to succeed. For this, good information and collaboration is essential.

So no surprise then that our next headings include energy, pollution, traffic and recycling. We make recommendations and discuss issues from our perspective having tracked these in Gibraltar for over a decade. Others are waste, sewage treatment, bunkering and shipping, conservation, mobile masts and awareness and planning. Here, another important fact to highlight is the on-going Environmental Action and Management Plan, which transposes Gibraltar’s “Environmental Charter” into action and therefore an extremely important document. We should remember that the environment is not a side or singular issue and it affects every aspect of our lives. Therefore the action plan and its aims and timelines are critical in achieving a better environment and thus, a better quality of life for all. Many are still unaware of this Plan which is published on the Dept of Environments website. As an NGO we monitor the plan and any delays and lobby for an update of the plan to be published that will reflect actual timings on major projects.

Finally we understand that many in our community continue to be concerned about the threat to health from the Oil Refinery and associated petrochemical industries and the lack of a robust, cross border epidemiological study and confirm these critical issues are also contained in our Wish List.

The ESG is also preparing questions to be tabled in Brussels via Gibraltar’s MEPs on such matters as well as the unresolved issue of Western Beach.

As reported in the media the ESG has met with experts regarding the issue of LNG. We presented our concerns and heard some reassurances. We now await publication of more reports as well as the detailed analysis that will come from the EIA that will be publicly available as it goes through the DPC process. The issue, for us, is still open.

Finally and back to Climate Change – We had mentioned the possibility of a rally planned for the end of this month in support of a global movement urging world leaders to stand firm and do the right thing on climate change. However, as this date now coincides with our own elections locally we have decided to postpone the rally for the time being. Any updates will be published. Thanks to those who have already expressed an interest in taking part.

Thanks for listening, for more info email us at esg@gibtelecom.net