The MP for Pembroke Central has called on Belco to take “immediate action” to mitigate pollution being endured by local residents.

His comments come after the residents wrote to the energy firm to complain of continuing soot fallouts from the North Power Station as well as smells from a facility on St John’s Road.

Mr Hayward wrote in an e-mail to residents on Monday that with recent “elevated levels of soot deposits”, the station “continues to negatively impact the property, health and safety” of Pembroke residents.

He said he had written to Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, about the issue.

Wayne Caines, Belco’s president, said that elevated levels of fall out were related to the restoration work associated with Hurricane Ernesto. The firm also said that fall out had been reduced significantly by various mitigation measures.

Mr Hayward said in his e-mail, seen by The Royal Gazette: “I passionately believe that Belco needs to make immediate changes to its operations that will benefit their neighbours. This is a problem that can have long-term health implications for our community and it is the responsibility of Belco to ensure the safety of surrounding residents.

“As residents, you have expressed your frustration and are demanding action. You should not have to bear the responsibility of continually having to clean up after Belco. You should not have to worry about the safety of your drinking water and you should not have to tolerate this ongoing nuisance.

“I share your frustration as you simply deserve your concerns be addressed.

“At this point, I understand that you feel abandoned by both Belco and our government. It is our responsibility to take effective measures to alleviate your frustration and work towards finding a solution.

“I have reached out to the Minister of Home Affairs about the ongoing concern.”

Mr Hayward said he had also contacted the minister at the residents’ request to ask for the extension to the three-week consultation period on the Clean Air Amendment Bill 2024, which aims to introduce more stringent air-quality laws. The deadline was eventually extended to August 31.

The Royal Gazette contacted Mr Hayward but he declined to comment further.

Mr Caines said Ernesto caused more than 28,000 customers to lose power, reducing energy demand for the island and engines were stopped to maintain stability of the network.

He added: “As large numbers of customers were restored, Belco experienced fluctuating energy demands which increased fallout from the North Power Station.”

A spokesman for the Bermuda Clean Air Coalition, a pressure group predominantly made up of frustrated residents, schools and businesses near Belco, said: "For years, Belco has invested heavily in PR campaigns instead of genuinely fixing the persistent soot and oil fallout plaguing Pembroke residents.

“This whitewashing has backfired spectacularly, exposing systemic failures of the company and its government partners. It’s crystal clear now that Belco, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Environmental Authority, the Ministry of Health and the RA are all complicit in neglecting this environmental health crisis.

“Despite multiple ‘action plans’ since 2020, residents are still cleaning soot and oil deposits off their properties in 2024. Our community deserves better than empty words, buck-passing, and smoke-and-mirrors games that have left us choking on broken promises for decades.”

Mr Hayward added in his e-mail to residents: “As the MP for Pembroke Central, I have not wavered in my responsibility to the constituents of Pembroke. I have been vocal and engaged with this issue for years now.

“I, too, am frustrated with the lack of resolve on this issue from all parties. I have personally drafted letters to Belco, arranged town halls, attended town halls, made public statements, met with DENR and the Ministry of Home Affairs, called Belco on behalf of residents to request compensation, expedite restoration to property and arranged for the installation of water filters.”

Mr Hayward and David Burt, the Premier and MP for Pembroke West Central, also received a summary report from the Regulatory Authority, with a breakdown of actions taken by Belco to mitigate emissions and odours since the commissioning of the North Power Station in 2020.

The RA said: “The RA has engaged extensively with Belco regarding ongoing concerns related to emissions and air quality, particularly affecting residents in the surrounding areas. Belco has been co-operative in providing information and updates.”

The RA said in its conclusion: “Belco has implemented essential measures to address community concerns regarding emissions and odours and efforts are ongoing to optimise and improve the situation further.

“The RA will continue to engage with Belco to monitor progress and stay informed of future developments.”

An investigation was launched by the Ministry of Health last year. The ministry eventually passed it on to DENR. Last July, the department informed Mr Roban that Belco breached the Clean Air Act 1991 and the Regulatory Authority was instructed to take action.

Last December, the RA launched an investigation into Belco operations. No outcome has been made public to date.

The RA told The Royal Gazette: “While the RA is legally unable to take action on environmental emissions under current legislation, we have engaged with Belco in good faith within the limits of our powers.

“We remain committed to supporting the EA, which holds the expertise and legal mandate under the Clean Air Act to manage these matters for Bermuda, particularly for those in Pembroke Central."

The Environmental Authority, Bermuda’s emissions regulator, said: “The EA is aware of the letter that [Jason] Hayward sent and we sympathise with the frustrations and concerns of the residents.

“The mitigation efforts cited by the minister are correct and on June 26, 2024 the EA agreed that Belco should provide the EA with increased details on their mitigation efforts to date as well as their plans going forward to address soot fallout and hot-oil odours.

“It is expected that this information will be reviewed at our next meeting.”

Mr Caines said: “Since commissioning the North Power Station, Belco has worked with the engine manufacturer to implement several modifications that have increased efficiency and reduced fallout and impact on neighbouring properties.

“Modifications to engines and operating procedures have been done in a phased approach and while the problem has not been fully resolved, fallout incidences and severity have been reduced.

“Similarly, modifications and the addition of filters to fuel tanks has greatly reduced odours in the vicinity of the plant. These measures have been carried out entirely at Belco’s expense with no additional costs passed on to consumers.”