over the company's plans to expand.

And last night CEO Garry Madeiros described Pembroke West Central MP Ann Cartwright DeCouto's comments as "unfortunate'', claiming that the plant expansion will "reduce the impact of emissions on ground level''.

Mr. Madeiros spoke after reading a story in Friday's Royal Gazette in which Mrs. DeCouto called for residents to lodge a group objection to the company's plan to build two new engines and a smoke stack.

"Mrs. DeCouto has suggested that our plant expansion will result in increased air emissions and therefore increased levels of pollution in the area,'' Mr.

Madeiros said.

"The company took the decision to phase out one engine at the old power station and reduce the running of a second engine there. In fact, by constructing the new engines we will actually be reducing the impact from their current level today.

"Since its formation four years ago we have worked closely with the Environmental Authority to reduce our impact on the neighbourhood and meet clean air standards. Our ongoing development allows us to put in a new plant that has specifications ensuring noise, vibration and emission levels are lower than the existing plant.

"Following the submission of our original application last year, objections from area residents were lodged with the Environmental Authority, an independent board set up under the Clean Air Act. The objections related to the proposed height of the smoke stack. There were no objections at the time to the expansion of the plant.

"Following the submissions of objections, Belco's environment department initiated a meeting with a number of area resident objectors as a group to discuss their concerns. While those concerns were being considered, the original application was put on hold. In the meantime Belco undertook to examine alternative ways of expanding the plant's capacity in a manner which would satisfy technical, environmental and economic concerns.

"Last month Belco filed the new application with the Planning Department to construct the new engines and smoke stack on the site of the East power station. Planning Department approval is contingent upon approval by the Environment Authority.

"Belco has been and continues to be sensitive to environmental issues. The company has also taken every effort to be receptive and responsive to the concerns of all of our customers, in particular residents in the area of the Belco plant, and to address those concerns as best as possible.''