The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has served legal notice to Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Ltd (MHL) for noise violations. A news release from the EMA yesterday said the notice of violation was sent to MHL on Tuesday after EMA investigations at MHL's site at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate, Couva showed they had failed to comply with the conditions and mitigation measures stated in their Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) in regards to provisions of the Noise Pollution Control Rules (NPCR).
EMA, in its statement, said the investigation was prompted by complaints from residents of excessive noise and radiated heat emanating from a flare stack on site. Residents claimed noise and vibration from the stacks caused stresses including headaches and sleep disturbance. MHL was granted a CEC, under the Environmental Management Act in 2001, for the conduct of activities associated with the establishment of a 5,000 metric tonnes per day methanol plant at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. The EMA further claimed MHL failed to engage in monitoring programmes during different times and operational values to ensure they were not in breach of the terms of their CEC.
EMA managing director Dr Joth Singh stated no additional application was made by MHL for Noise Variation regarding the noise levels of the period in question. The EMA had invited MHL to make representations to the EMA on the breach and may be required to undertake specified modifications within a given time frame. The EMA had warned should MHL neglect to make representation then the EMA would apply various remedies provided by the law.