EPA looking to have the use of Generators authorised for better management
The Air Quality and Noise Management Programme (AQNMP) hosted a meeting on June 13, 2018, with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure – Rural Electrification Programme (MOPI -REP) and Guyana Electrical Inspection Department (GEI); the Mayor and City Council (M&CC); Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL). to discuss a unified way forward for the management and authorisation of generators and mitigate the impacts that arise from their usage.
The current modus operandi for the authorisation and management of generators usage is fragmented. However, given the need for energy security, many residential and commercial businesses have opted to use generators. Unfortunately, the use of generators has significant impacts on human health and the environment. Over the last three years, the Agency has received an increasing number of complaints regarding the use of generators which have caused noise and fumes nuisances to residents.
The meeting highlighted key issues in the authorisation and management stages where conformities between agencies differ and there is a need for greater cross-sectional collaboration among the agencies present.
Emanating from the meeting were the following;
- The Mayor and City Council would be the point Agency to start the authorization process with the EPA, MOIP-GEI and EPA leading support in the approval stage.
- A policy document would be drafted by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure that will form the operational and regulatory framework for the authorization and management of generators.
- A second meeting is scheduled for June 2018.
