The Government is again funding an air-quality monitoring programme that detects potentially harmful emissions, according to an official spending disclosure.

Renewed support for the air-quality testing comes as the island’s power utility faces ongoing protests related to its emissions and a more recent public outcry following a dramatic increase in the price of electricity.

The monitoring programme, run by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in conjunction with the independent Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, was defunded last year in order to save $230,000 as the Ministry of Home Affairs faced a cut in its budget of 9 per cent.

According to a government notice published in the Official Gazette and dated October 20, $215,034 is being spent on ambient air-quality monitoring stations to be placed in six locations.

The contract in the disclosure runs from August 16 to March 3 next year.

Previously, three air-monitoring stations were operated: East Broadway in Pembroke; Prospect, Devonshire; and BIOS in St George’s. The monitoring was suspended last year after the announcement in April.

Belco has continued to self monitor its emissions as it is obliged to do under the terms of its operating licence.

Concerns were raised by the Bermuda Clean Air Coalition after the independent programme was defunded.

The members, many of whom live close to Belco, said the programme was crucial as the plant’s North Power Station had produced high-sulphur emissions and soot fallout.

A spokesman for the pressure group said last August: “We would like to see the Government doing more to monitor for air and water pollution coming from Belco. Instead, we note the recently defunded BIOS air-monitoring equipment.”

The Environmental Authority also raised concerns about the programme being defunded.

Belco did not respond when asked whether the levels of air contaminants surrounding its Pembroke plant exceed the British limits Bermuda aims meet under the Clean Air Act that is being drafted.

The UK Air Quality Objective sets the maximum number of sulphur dioxide exceedances over a 15-minute period at 35 per year.

According to the Environmental Authority, a unit on Ocean Lane, Pembroke detected 63 exceedances of the chemical compound last year.

The BCAC spokesman said: “That’s more than one exceedance per week just for sulphur dioxide, and this station was located in a small narrow band one kilometre away from Belco.

“What is happening in the other 359 degree arc around Belco’s perimeter when the winds blow from different directions?”

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, said in November that checks required by law continued to be made and confirmed that amendments to the Clean Air Act will be subject to public consultation.

He said at the time: “There was never a total elimination of air monitoring. There were a couple of key places that were supported by funding that was given to BIOS that were not happening, that’s all.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been approached for comment and information about the planned air quality monitoring programme.