The PLP yesterday stressed their commitment to cleaning up Bermuda's environment -- and included the possibility of using solar power as an alternative energy source.

Pembroke East incumbent Ottiwell Simmons said a PLP Government would give top priority to environmental hot spots such as the dumping at Castle Harbour, asbestos disposal and the US base cleanup.

Mr. Simmons said the PLPs focus on the environment would include a firm definition of eco-tourism and a restructuring of the environmental awareness programmes in the school system.

St. George's North candidate Deleay Robinson said expertise from local, non-Governmental organisations would be used in order to determine the best course of action to ensure compliance with international environmental standards.

Mr. Robinson blasted the UBP for its "abysmal waste dumping practices'' and said the PLP would protect local bio-diversity.

And Devonshire South candidate Dennis Farias slammed the UBP for the "75-foot-high'' mountains of garbage at Castle Harbour, which he said should be addressed "as soon as possible''.

And Mr. Farias said fallout from the Tynes Bay incinerator could be seen from a 13-degree temperature increase in North Shore waters Both Mr. Robinson and Mr. Simmons said the PLP would look into alternative energy sources -- such as solar, wind or water power -- which would be cheaper and more environmentally friendly.