Jason Hayward has again called out Belco regarding emissions understood to be coming from the power plant.

The Minister of Economy and Labour said yesterday that residents in Pembroke Central, where Belco is located, reported a “significant accumulation of soot on their properties” on July 20, 21 and 22, “in addition to reported incidents in June”.

Mr Hayward, the MP for the constituency, added: “These recurring incidents are not only disruptive but also distressing, as they compromise the cleanliness of homes and the wellbeing of families.”

The minister urged Belco to “accelerate the implementation of a long-term solution that eliminates these harmful emissions”.

He called on the electricity provider to engage more with those affected by the emissions, restore and support properties where it amassed and guarantee access to clean drinking water in the area.

Mr Hayward concluded: “Environmental justice is not optional, it is a fundamental right.

“I will continue to advocate for accountability and action and I encourage all residents to remain vocal and vigilant so that we ensure our community remains a safe and healthy place to live.”

The minister voiced these concerns in an e-mail last August that said: “I passionately believe that Belco needs to make immediate changes to its operations that will benefit their neighbours.

“This is a problem that can have long-term health implications for our community, and it is the responsibility of Belco to ensure the safety of surrounding residents.”

The Regulatory Authority, which oversees Bermuda’s electricity sector, requested a review to assess how emissions from Belco’s North Power Station, commissioned in 2020, could be mitigated.

Ricardo Energy & Environment, a British-based environment consultancy firm, determined in the 2021 review that pollution was at least partly caused by Belco burning heavy fuel oil.

The firm stated: “The most effective way to mitigate this problem would be to use a lower-polluting fuel such as diesel or natural gas, but this would incur significant additional costs.”

Belco did not respond to a request for comment by press time.