They have been communicating with government officials within the Department of Environment and are pushing for a resolution.
In 2009, the Department of Environment told the plant owners it would have to make the necessary changes to its equipment before it began production in 2010. The Barry Group did not make the improvements, but they still operate under government supervision.
Charlene Johnson, Environment Minister, said in an email that the company has been advised by the department that they must meet environmental standards. As a result, in March and April the company upgraded their equipment. In May, the plant operated for a short while although the standards were still not completely met.
“The company has proposed to install additional equipment and have submitted proposed plans to the department which are currently being reviewed. If approved, and once the additional equipment is installed, the department will continue to follow up to ensure compliance with the standards,” wrote Minister Johnson.
In Mr. Keeping’s opinion, the Department of Environment is not protecting private citizens as it continues to grant more time to the plant owners.
He feels the government has a double standard when it comes to industry.
“If you or I went and threw a barrel of this kind of stuff in the harbour, the cops would be at our door and we’d be fined or thrown in jail, but the Barry Group still gets away with it,” he said.
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