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The Mepa Environment Protection Directorate is proposing the inclusion of an obligation in the power station extension permit so that the operator would be required to supply, via the internet, regular data on emissions from the power station, The Times reports.

The request became known this morning when the Mepa board started meeting to consider an application for an outline development permit for the extension of the Delimara power station, the report says.

The public meeting, being held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, opened with a presentation by the Mepa case officer on the proposed development. He explained how the extension would have eight power generating plants burning heavy fuel oil and there would be two chimneys each 65 metres high. He also went through the environment impact assessment for the project.

The meeting was told that the Planning Directorate is recommending approval of the project subject to conditions to protect the environment. According to the Times report, a large number of people attended the meeting, including several Labour MPs, mayors and residents of the towns bordering Delimara.

The issue was also discussed in an emergency debate on the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The Labour Opposition insisted that the Mepa debate should have been put off pending the conclusion of an inquiry by the Auditor-General on how the contract for the power station equipment was awarded.

The government, The Times reports, insisted it would not interfere in Mepa procedures and it was up to Mepa to decide whether to hold or put off its considerations and whether or not to approve the development application.

The Labour Party on the other hand said that the Mepa’s decision was taken even though the LP opposed to it, at least until after the Audit-General submitted his report on the way the power station contract was awarded, reports The Times.

The PL said that this incident is a sign of the arrogance that the government and its authorities hold, and that this was a case in point of how the government interferes in Mepa affairs.