WILLEMSTAD - Clean Air Everywhere, a prominent environmental organization in Curaçao, has sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, who is currently also the interim Minister of Public Health.
The letter expresses serious concerns about the planned start-up of an asphalt plant by the Global Oil Management Group in May 2024.
This plant would operate under the existing nuisance law permit with outdated standards for sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which, according to the environmental organization, contradicts court rulings.
In the letter, drafted by Triple A Attorneys on behalf of Clean Air Everywhere, reference is made to various legal cases against the Curaçao government. In these cases, it has been determined that the total emission of sulfur dioxide, measured at the Kas Chikitu monitoring station, should not exceed 40μ/m3 in a 24-hour period.
However, the current nuisance permit granted to RdK, the owner of the refinery, allows significantly higher values, which the environmental organization sees as a 'flagrant violation' of the rulings of the Court of Appeals of Curaçao.
Information Provision
Criticism is also voiced regarding information provided to the public. The website luchtmetingencuracao.org, serving as the primary source of information, has not received updates since June 2023.
Additionally, technical problems have been cited, making data not downloadable, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.
The organization demands that RdK's nuisance law permit be adjusted by March 1, 2024, to comply with WHO air quality standards and the court rulings.
Furthermore, there should be improved access to current and historical data on the mentioned website.
If these demands are not met, Clean Air Everywhere threatens further legal action, including the imposition of penalties.