On this weeks Viewpoint programme, a local weekly television programme that discusses current affairs in more depth, the ESG joined the Minister and Shadow Minister for the Environment to discuss the issue of LNG ( Liquid Natural Gas) as a suitable fuel for Gibraltar.

The programme is available online and can be found here:-

http://www.livestream.com/gbctelevision/video?clipId=pla_65f6b105-d3f5-4799-ae86-c97a454e94a9

The ESG attempted  to convey its position that:-

• completion of a new power station is paramount –
• a bold renewable energy programme needs to run parallel to reduce output from new power station incrementally as green energy takes hold –
• that while there could be gains from LNG, that efficiency, by way of turbines over pistons,  energy recovery, and post combustion treatment of both diesel and gas emissions makes them both compliant
• storage of gas is an issue – location – volume – and specifications should be published
• supply of gas is an issue
• concerned that bringing in LNG is further delaying the completion of this critical project
• nurturing LNG bunkering from Gibraltar would not be supported by the group
• reports/studies/assessments on all technical aspects of fuel choice must be released, ideally via a public meeting and presented  by experts advising Government to give full opportunity for informed debate
• Government’s Renewable Energy Strategy should also be presented at this public meeting
• this is too important to be a political hot potato

these and other issues surrounding economic factors and safety were discussed at length in the programme. Check it out!

The debate starts here!

ESG Press Release – ESG and LNG

6^th March 2015

The ESG is once again being contacted by its members, and the public alike, to make plain our position on the question of Liquid Natural Gas, (LNG), which is being considered as part of the dual fuel system for the new power station; and particularly, on the question of storage of LNG in Gibraltar.

 The group would like to refer readers to a statement it issued back in May 2013, (see attached) and (http://www.esg-gib.net/esg-on-new-power-station-for-gibraltar/), where we spelt out our preferred technology and commented on the decision on fuel choice and location with the available information provided, such as it was.

Due to public interest and concerns we would like to make our case once again. Our group has campaigned vociferously for a new power station. No one can argue that this is long overdue, nor that the impact from existing power plants is intolerable and that therefore action must be taken to resolve this asap.

The North Mole location was not our first choice but we considered it to be at a greater distance from residential areas to those currently servicing Gibraltar’s electricity needs. The tender specs calling for best available technology, and highest environmental standards, also met with our clear support. However, we did not give this support unreservedly and outlined what we considered these ought to be in our May 2013 statement.

Although the ESG has taken up the issue of LNG supply with the Ministry for the Environment at several meetings, we were still under the impression that the copious studies and assessments would be made available and that there would be time for full public consultation via the EIA process to assess these fully. As a group we have reserved our position to comment on this until such details have been made available.

We have urged for fuel storage at the North Mole to be diesel over gas, due to the proximity to other industrial activity and residential areas. We have understood that plans were developing to create LNG storage at the Detached Mole to service the Power Station but that, this in itself, was causing problems to other Port users.

This situation is evolving constantly, with the picture changing slightly at each page turned. The ESG has called upon Government to hold a public meeting with all technical experts and advisers present to deliver a presentation on precisely what is being planned, and to allow a question and answer session from the floor to address all legitimate concerns from the public.

 This is the biggest project Gibraltar faces right now and focus and priority need to be given for the right decision to be taken, and for completion to be the outcome.

 Time is ticking, we are now two years on from our last statement and we are very keen for this essential project not to be delayed any further than is absolutely necessary.

ESG PRESS RELEASE in May 2013 outlining the groups position regarding technology of choice

New Power Station – May 2013

For the sake of clarity, and because we are being approached by members of the community with questions regarding our support of Governments new power station plans, we feel its important to state our position clearly. Although Government has already provided considerable detail via the tender process of the technology choices it favours for the new generating station, the specifics are not yet known. These will be fully understood once the tender has been awarded and an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) is carried out.

In broad terms we favour the decision by Government to construct a state of the art, environmentally friendly station based on best practice and best available technology and this is what we are supporting. There are a number of variables not yet known that could influence the environmental performance criteria: this includes piston engines, combustion gas turbines, or steam turbines via a boiler heated by gas.

The ESG has proposed that combustion turbines with heat recovery from high temperature exhaust for desalination would be our preferred option and this has been submitted at meetings with Government. Combustion turbines are currently being used at the site with very clean exhaust emissions. This would make our new power station a “combined cycle power station” giving us electricity and virtually free desalinated water. The added benefit of this would be a further reduction of Gibraltar’s electricity demand, which at present is very high, due to electrically run “Reverse Osmosis” plants.

This system would increase the efficiency of our power station dramatically as we would be extracting much more energy from the fuel used to produce electricity and water with the same fuel consumption used by the power station itself.

The location by the sea would be ideal for this set up. However there have been concerns raised about the location. Our preferred locations have been Lathbury or the old incinerator site due to pollution dispersal and distance from residential areas. However these were discarded due to cost and the proposed location is the next best available site. If best available technology is used with combustion turbines and urea scrubbers to remove NOx emissions, in proper acoustic enclosures, in a suitably sound proofed building, with flash desalination plant being run from the turbine exhaust, we could then get a very good and cost effective power station that is quiet and clean to operate. A massive improvement and a world apart to what we have at present.

If we get a piston engine power station with no scrubbers or inadequate soundproofing then we would have a power station, which is better than what we have now, but not as good as we could have had and an opportunity lost. From our discussions with Government this is not a likely scenario.

Our proposal will be that since the storage of gas is for emergency operation only and dual fuel engines are being requested that emergency storage should be for diesel and not for gas. Diesel storage is much safer and already happens in Gibraltar at our present power stations.

Another point that needs to be raised is that Government needs to prevent any further development of residential areas near the proposed plant site; otherwise we will end up with the same situation as at present with power stations surrounded by residential areas.

In our last press release we also urged Government to run a parallel renewable energy programme to ensure that it meets its carbon neutral target as soon as possible. The ESG hopes to have clarified some issues, which have been raised with the group, and invites members of the public to send us any questions or concerns to our email at esg@gibtelecom.net. Our technical advisers will be happy to give our position on what is after all, a major project for our community.

Check out our new WISH LIST – updated and carrying our views on ALL matters environmental in Gibraltar!

Posted on our Home Page simply click on any heading and you will go straight to the full, comprehensive document showing our 2011 original wishes and how they have been handled since then with a 2014 review.

The document then carries a 2015, up to the minute update which we hope readers and members will find of great interest.

Key words: ESG Wish List 2015, LNG Gas, CUTW 2014 Report

In todays newsletter we’d like to announce some news, which will interest our members and the wider public.

Given the run-up to local elections is now underway, the ESG has held meetings with both political parties and also submitted our 2015 Wish List that includes 14 areas that cover our core aims and objectives. We urge the public to visit our website at esg-gib.net where this document will be posted as from tomorrow.

The Wish List is based on our 2011 paper, carries an interim 2014 review on each issue, gauging progress or inaction, with a 2015 update giving our verdict on “where things stand” regarding the environment in Gibraltar today.

We would just add that for the sake of brevity, in what is unavoidably a long document, we have kept summaries short, and advise anyone with a particular interest or query to contact us for more details.

Some big issues to emerge recently are the new power station fuel choice, specifically gas – and the traffic and transport draft plan.

On the question of gas or LNG storage, the ESG has made our views known by way of previous press releases and in many past newsletters. That is to say that we would like to have sight of technical and H&S documents before issuing a full statement on this matter. We do remain concerned that the present process is breaking down the project into 3 areas: reclamation, power plant, and fuel supply and storage. Although we have been silent on the matter recently, as Govt and Opposition discuss the matter in the media, we reserve our position that more technical details need to be made public so as to give assurance over the levels of safety pledged by those consulted, which are presently swaying Government towards gas, gas storage, and even contemplating bunkering with this fuel in future.

The real question is, can Government revise its present plans if an EIA or technical details demand it? This seems quite a way down the road at present and the ESG is hoping to have a high level meeting with Govt over the next few weeks to discuss this, in detail, face to face.

We have submitted our feedback to GoG on their proposed draft traffic and transport plan believing that implementation; budget and timeframe issues are now vital in converting the proposal into meaningful policy.

Finally, we would like to advise our members, sponsors and volunteers that our CUTW 2014 report is now finalised and will also be posted on our website as from tomorrow, Friday. If anyone listening would like copies of the two reports mentioned in this broadcast please get in touch and we shall try and help.     Thanks for listening!

ESG Newsletter Feb 12^th

Hello- some news on the green front – the ESG welcomes the publication of the Government “Sustainable Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan” – or the STTPP. It’s well worth the read of two hours or so with several ideas on how to tackle hotspots, congestion issues and bring about clearer and calmer streets. As we said in our press release this week many of our transport problems have been detailed with measures proposed, that, if implemented, could begin to change existing transport options to healthier and more environmental choices. This will have the effect of reducing air and noise pollution levels on our streets and also benefit the planet and our purse!!

The public is invited to give feedback on the Plan and will hopefully do so. The idea about creating street metered parking zones to free these up from long-term street parking; introducing safe cycling routes; increase pedestrianisation in certain hotspots in town; the imminent use of the top of the city walls are just some of the examples of how we can move forward and away from chronic traffic problems in Gibraltar. Imagine how many more people will choose to walk or cycle with fewer cars on the roads? The issue of how the end of the runway road, once completed, will impact on overall traffic issues in the northern end of Gibraltar is still not fully understood according to the Plan. This would still require other measures such as Park and Ride and new bus services etc. No doubt tonight’s Viewpoint on GBC will explore these and other recommendations made by the Plan.

Another interesting issue coming up soon next weeks DPC meeting which takes place a little earlier this month – on the 18^th February, at the usual time of 9.30am. The agenda is online at the Town Planning website and the meetings are open to the public. Among agenda items of interest to the ESG is:  details provided on the Waterport Desalination Plant, a proposed Nursing Home at Both Worlds southern site, and a deployment plan presented by Gibtelecom for the 4G antenna service. The ESG has met with Gibtelecom and other Govt departments and agencies in the past few weeks and has been able to discuss matters of concern relating to existing and proposed mast installations and can confirm that discussions are going forward very positively.

As we enter pre-election period, we too, at the ESG, are getting our aims and objectives in order and will be holding a series of meetings with the main political parties to discuss in detail our concerns and recommendations.

Our Wish List has seen several upgrades recently as key issues are constantly evolving but we pledge to have our final document on our website by the end of the month and welcome discussion and questions from anyone with particular interest in any of the 14 subject areas concerned. These include: Climate Change, Energy, Environmental Action and Management Plan, Pollution, Traffic, Recycling and Litter, Waste, Sewage Treatment, Bunkering, Conservation, Mobile Phone Masts and Awareness, Planning, Cross Border Issues, Epidemiological Studies.

Please contact us at 200-48996, mobile 549600000 or email  esg@gibtelecom.net 

ESG Press Release

ESG welcomes the Draft Sustainable Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan

(STTPP) – February 9^th 2015

The ESG welcomes the release of the long awaited Traffic and Transport Plan (STTPP) and supports many of its recommendations.

Many of our seemingly intangible transport problems have been detailed with measures proposed, that, if implemented, could begin to change the tide of conventional transport options towards healthier and more environmental choices. Of course, as well as improving air quality and noise levels on our streets, reducing unessential car use is also good for the planet and our purse.

The report identifies hotspots that can be tackled today, and others, that await further infrastructural changes before these can be addressed. Clearly residential areas throughout Gibraltar need to be supplied with adequate parking. Liberating our main roads and networks of 24 hour parking however, will bring space and safety to many areas.

Therefore, for these, and many other reasons, the ESG congratulates Government for a well thought out report, which already contains considerable community feedback, via the survey and workshops undertaken. In order for this report to have credibility, it is now necessary for the Government to launch a timeframe, which will set out the deadlines to meet achievable targets.

While welcoming this period of further public feedback the ESG trusts that Government will then take the right steps outlined in this plan to bring about a sustainable traffic, transport and parking plan for Gibraltar without further delays.

ESG Radio Newsletter 29^th January 2015

Hi there-  the start of a year is always busy and 2015 is no different as we participate in the first ever Gib Talks, prepare to give a number of talks, and gear ourselves up for the upcoming election.

During our last newsletter we referred to this weeks DPC meeting which took place yesterday. Among the 30 or so applications were some that caught our interest, indeed some have already been reported in the local press. We would like to touch upon these as we consider them to be of public interest and impacting on our environment.

These are mobile phone antennaes, the open space next to prison car park, extensions at the Desalination Plant at Waterport Road and the scoping opinion on the Sewage Treatment Plant destined for the Brewery Crusher Site.

On the antennaes we continue to expect and press for the best standards and procedures to be followed when installing such equipment in Gibraltar while understanding the difficulty this may present. As advised at the DPC meeting yesterday during the discussion on the masts at Windmill Hill Road, we are seeking meetings with Gibtelecom to present to them directly our concerns and questions on this and on masts in other areas and will continue to follow this matter closely.

Another query we presented was on how the open space next to the New Prison–  presently used by locals and visitors to the Upper Rock, the Retreat etc. is now to be used to house businesses being relocated from the North Mole because of other needs there. The ESG considers this open space to be an important entry point to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve –it is also a buffer between the existing light industrial farm and the reserve and obviously serves as necessary parking facility for those wanting to walk in the Upper Rock. We hope the decision makers will take our concerns shared by some others on the commission on board- indeed the Ministers confirmed this was temporary relocation and that the points raised by the ESG and others would be carefully considered.

A positive agenda item was the scoping opinion for the planned Waste Water Treatment Plant, that’s a sewage plant to you and me. Long overdue and now undergoing the various stages of technical assessments. The ESG has been very happy to submit our recommendations as part of the DPC and is delighted to see that best practice in waste and energy management is being given very serious consideration.

Another item on the agenda of interest to us was the extension of the existing containerised reverse osmosis plant at Waterport Desalination Plant on North Mole Road. The ESG asked that more details be made available to the DPC regarding the scale, impact and screening that has been undertaken on this facility given its industrial nature and proximity to residential areas. A commitment was given by the Minister for the Environment that this information would be made available. More plans presented for projects intending to improve the Upper Town sensitively, and sustainably, were also very positively received. Such urban regeneration can only improve quality of life for those dwelling in the upper town.

And so it was, a remarkably brief DPC meeting, only three hours long this time!!

While Gibraltar begins to prepare for the next election, the ESG is also putting its final touches on our own Wish List and will lobby parties standing for election on how we would like to see Gibraltar move forward to improve our environment. Watch this space. Thanks for listening –please get in touch with any queries, comments or concerns. Our email: esg@gibtelecom.net, phone is 200-48996 and website is esg-gib.net.

ESG Newsletter Jan 2015 15^th

 Key Words:  DPC, Town Planning Act, Public Consultation

Good day to all. As we gather ourselves after the Christmas break various issues are useful to mention at the start of a brand New Year.

Although these are prone to change you may like to note down the next two DPC meeting dates, especially if you are interested or concerned about any planning applications currently on the table. January’s date lands on the 28^th which is a Wednesday and starts at 9.30am, with February’s date originally set for the 26^th   now brought forward to the 18^th of Feb, also a Wednesday and also starting at 9.30am. Naturally you can get details about the agendas a week beforehand on the Town Planning DPC website. What some may not realise is that also posted on this website are minutes of all meetings showing the voting outcomes and discussions held at every meeting on each application.

This is progress and much work is done by the Planning Division, which is becoming better resourced, and hopefully deliver an ever improving service to the community it is there to serve.  For the past two years the ESG has remained concerned that Government projects, although presented at DPC for comment, thereby seeing unprecedented public scrutiny, we still do not have in place the commitment made by the present administration to see all Govt and Private applications come before the DPC for full planning permission.

Naturally it is expected that a new Govt is elected in to bring about its manifestos pledges. They are under pressure. Nevertheless, we agreed with the present administration when they stated it was in Gibraltar’s interest for all plans to receive full scrutiny and permits, and yet, the projects are all rolling forward without these full checks in place. We are disappointed and frustrated with these delays.

So we shall continue lobbying for this to happen and for other measures to be implemented at planning level to improve the way Gibraltar is developed. Another very important pending matter is the Town Planning Act, which is due to come before full public consultation, input and feedback. We do understand that these issues are complex and cannot happen overnight but this is a big issue for our community and we will continue to lobby for the Act to go through public consultation so we know we are nearer towards achieving a balanced, modern, and fairer planning system. One such example we would like to see tackled is for full disclosure of all plans, private or public available online to ensure that the public are given easier access to information which may transform their lives.

There are many instances while we have sat on the DPC where individuals have been deeply aggrieved because they did not know about a plan until it was too late to do anything about it.

We also do not believe that plans unpopular with the community need to have public campaigns/petitions/protests in order to stop these. What we shall work for is for a high quality development plan to be the only template followed – for Town Planning to become Gibraltar Planning as many developments occur outside the City Walls and need, in our view, to be holistically managed to protect both our quality of life and the natural environment.

We do commend the present Govt for the projects it has already undertaken with the Commonwealth Park and other smaller parks in the town area, the beautification of major estates, and the many social projects currently underway. There are too many going on at the same time however, stretching resources and manpower and potentially slowing down badly needed facilities. We look forward to being able to meaningfully contribute to the new Town Act when this is finally possible to do- and we hope you do too!

Please visit our website esg-gib.net for news on other current issues and email us at esg@gibtelecom.net if you would like to contact us.

Hello-

This will be our last 2014 broadcast…can’t quite believe another year has shot past…definitely encourages one to be philosophical and take stock of where we are.

The ESG has campaigned through the year on our objectives for a healthy and clean environment and looks ahead to 2015 determined to stay the course. Naturally anyone looking at our wish list can see that quite a few of our key goals are being met, even if in the process of, but this is positive and to be welcomed. Our role is to ensure that announcements are followed up with action and completion and so we shall continue to monitor the big issues that concern us such as Cross border pollution, Power Station and energy source, bunkering, waste oil management, transport and traffic, EMF – the invisible pollution, waste water treatment plant, renewable energy, use of Best Available Technology and Gibraltar’s meaningful action on Climate Change. After ten years of clean up we shall also be considering new ideas for this strong community campaign for 2015- watch this space!!

We shall also be reviewing the last Environmental Action and Management Plan issued under the present administration as there are delays in the implementation of a number of highly impacting activity which affects our quality of life and influences our performance on greenhouse gas emissions and therefore on Climate Change. The Transport Plan that will aim to modify vehicular use and promote alternative and clean mobility is yet to be published in spite of a number of public promises.

Nevertheless, the recent awarding of major contracts on the new Power Station and on the Sewage Plant is a clear sign of Government commitment – these will provide radical change in removing pollutants from our skies and seas and cannot come about too soon.

While Govts, civil servants and businesses have important roles to play on environmental issues, we, as individuals and families, could also look to 2015 to see how we can improve our own carbon footprint, wastefulness and habits. Perhaps a pledge at New Years to ramp up our recycling, we don’t need special containers to do this – to use less packaging at the stores, take our own bags, check labels for the most environmentally friendly option, and use energy friendly bulbs, could help improve Gibraltar’s performance too!

With the recent report published by the GHA advocating prevention rather than cure as the way forward for our community, what better than choosing to walk or part walk and bus your journeys whenever you can?

As the great work done by Nazareth House and the GBC Open Day this week demonstrates, our community is relatively affluent and generous in supporting those in need and work done by charities and NGOs. This affluence should also give us breathing space to consider our actions and make the green choice.

Have a great and peaceful Christmas and we would like to thank the community for its continued support of our work and objectives.