The approval last night of clean air legislation by the House of Assembly was hailed as a vital step to secure protection for residents from pollutants.

However the debate over the Clean Air Amendment Act 2024 came with calls from One Bermuda Alliance MPs to put it on hold for further consultation, with Craig Cannonier citing ongoing concerns raised by the Bermuda Clean Air Coalition pressure group.

David Burt, the Premier, told the House the Bill had already undergone delays at the BCAC’s request after being set for tabling in the House since the end of the summer.

Mr Burt said there had been six weeks of discussion for changes, adding: “This Bill represents stringent air quality standards and provisions that exceed standards seen in other jurisdictions — it is the right Bill.”

The recurring problem of soot blighting properties near Belco’s power station was raised by government MPs, with Mr Burt acknowledging that his constituents were among those affected.

He added: “We live in a strong democracy and I welcome the Bermuda Clean Air Coalition sharing their views, sharing their thoughts.”

He said the Cabinet held the Bill to consider letters to the Government as well as protests by the advocacy group.

He added: “We took those on board to strengthen the Bill further.”

Opposition MP Scott Pearman said the BCAC had several continuing objections, including suggestions that World Health Organisation guidelines were not met.

Mr Pearman highlighted concerns over the quality of monitoring equipment to be used by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, with the group claiming it did not meet best-practice standards.

Walter Roban, the home affairs minister, said that maintaining a clean environment required proactive adaptive measures.

He said pollution drove down quality of life, adding: “Over time such pollutants erode communities”.

Mr Roban told the House that the DENR reviewed best practices in many jurisdictions while considering Bermuda’s location and low population size.

He said the Bill’s passage would see seven air quality monitoring stations set up across the island to screen for pollution, with emission control orders to be served on anyone found to commit two breaches of regulations.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, gave the legislation her backing, saying any step to mitigate the impact of pollutants on health and safety was “certainly something to be applauded”.

She said it would deliver a “direct impact” on people’s pockets by cutting healthcare costs.

Jason Hayward, the economy and labour minister and MP for Constituency 17, said its residents had spoken out over emissions from the nearby Belco power plant.

He added: “They ultimately want the pollution to stop — they want to live in an environment where they do not have any concerns of whether the environment is negatively impacting them.”

Mr Hayward said Pembroke residents had raised other pollution concerns, such unpleasant odours from a farm in the St John’s Road area.

He added: “I don’t believe that anybody in the House of Assembly want our neighbourhoods to be polluted. “I think everybody deserves to have clean air.”

Mr Hayward commended entities such as the BCAC for holding the Government accountable, and said greater community engagement was required on the issue.

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, said she took many pollution complaints from residents in her constituency, calling it “a very real issue”.

She said she supported the legislation for its more stringent measures to combat pollution, with better accountability and better air monitoring.

Ms Furbert said the concerns of the BCAC would not be ignored after the Bill’s passage, adding: “This will be a constant concern.”

She said clean air issues would continue but the Government would ensure additional legislative amendments for the community’s betterment. She added: “We take our people’s health seriously.”