passed this summer, says the Environment Minister.

But the company says it is Bermudians who will pay the tab through higher electricity bills if the new law is as tough as it appears.

The regulations under Bermuda's Clean Air Act will be tougher than those under the US Environmental Protection Act and comparable to the toughest federal standards in Canada, the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

New plants that produce air emissions will first have to get a construction permit from a new environmental authority. Existing plants, like the Bermuda Electric Light Co. Ltd., will have to obtain operating licences.

If the plant does not meet the air quality regulations, it will have to present a plan and timetable for coming up to snuff.

To comply, Belco is in for "a lot of work,'' said the Minister, who represents the Pembroke West Central constituency where the oil-fired electric plant is located.

The plant occasionally showers soot "over the neighbourhood, over people, cars, laundry, roofs, yards, and creates a dreadful mess,'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said.

"Their other problem area is sulphur dioxide, which produces a noxious odour, plant damage, and could cause respiratory problems.

"I am extremely sensitive to the concerns of the residents of that area who are affected by Belco's operations.'' It was too early to say what Belco would have to do to comply, but it would likely involve replacing parts of the plant and upgrading others, she said.

Burning a higher grade of fuel was also an option.

The Minister said she has met with Belco officials, and the company "shows every sign of willing cooperation.''.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said the changes "won't necessarily happen overnight,'' but her idea of a reasonable time and expense might not correspond with those of company executives. "That's a ripe area for disagreement,'' she said.

Belco president and chief executive officer Mr. Alf Oughton, who attended the meeting with the Minister, said the company will cooperate. But based on what he has heard, he is concerned.

For instance, on sulphur dioxide emissions, the World Health Organisation sets an acceptable annual mean level of 60 micrograms per cubic metre of air, and a desirable level of 40 micrograms. But 30 micrograms per cubic metre is spelled out for Belco in the draft regulations shown to Mr. Oughton.

"She wants our acceptable level to be what other people consider to be desirable levels,'' Mr. Oughton said. "It could have a large impact on both capital costs and definitely operating costs, depending upon what we have to do to meet those standards.'' Mr. A.L. Vincent Ingham, Belco's vice-president of engineering and operations, said "there is a price to pay'' for forcing too much change too quickly.

"It's not just Belco that will pay this price, but unfortunately it is the whole Island that will bear the cost.'' Belco, which is about to install new equipment to address the soot problem, has improved its air emissions in recent years and would continue to whether there was a Clean Air Act or not, Mr. Oughton said.

Most sulphur dioxide emissions come from older engines in the west power station. "As they gradually get retired, the situation is going to change considerably,'' he said.

The plant already burns low-sulphur fuel, and "if we want to reduce that percentage further, there will be a cost consequence,'' he said. "We have no problem with a low target, it's just a question of cost.'' With the regulations passed this summer, it is expected all existing plants will have to apply for an operating licence by around the end of this year.

Hotels with boilers or incinerators, the hospital, asphalt plants, the Tynes Bay incinerator, sewage plants, and residents who burn waste in their backyards will also be affected by the regulations.

The regulations are based on the levels of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulphide, particulates, and lead in air around a plant. But the blackness of smoke coming out of stacks will also be tested, Environment Ministry officials said.