Residents in Pembroke have set up a new action group to fight plans to build new power plants in their neighbourhood.

Bermuda Energy Alternatives Taskforce (BEAT) says its mission is to prevent further noise, odour, heat, soil, air and water pollution from energy generation within Pembroke, the most densely populated area of Bermuda.

BEAT is concerned that even more residents will be exposed to increased pollution if Belco’s proposal for new power plants goes ahead.

BEAT spokesperson Denise Riviere said: “We want emissions controls so that even more residents will not be burdened with what Pembroke residents live with daily.

“Further, BEAT’s objective is to ensure that the proposed new energy expansion is decentralised. BEAT believes the burden and risk of having all of the Island’s generating capacity in one location is unacceptable.

“Forward thinking environmental considerations in other parts of the world have resulted in fossil fuel power generation plants that do not pollute their environment, generate their power quietly and are reasonably unobtrusive components of the communities they serve.”

The group also believes that Bermuda must dedicate significant effort to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel technology.

Ms Riviere added: “Alternative energy sources are being successfully deployed in many parts of the world, including other islands and remote off-grid communities. Bermuda should also enjoy the environmental benefits of renewable resource power generation with automatic back-up diesel generation to provide continuous and seamless electrical power with the minimum importation of fossil fuels.

“We welcome the Energy Minister’s announcement on Monday and would hope that, along with an invitation for our contribution to Bermuda’s Energy Policy, any decision on Belco’s expansion plans will be deferred until after the Green Paper has been presented to Parliament and the people.

“Bermuda residents and businesses waste huge quantities of electrical power every day and there are many simple solutions that could reduce current peak demands for electricity so that Belco’s dire predictions of rolling power cuts can be painlessly avoided while the Energy Policy is being formulated.”

* See the full story in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.