Following objections by residents, a developer has changed the site for a proposed waste treatment plant from Peters Hall to Little Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced yesterday.
In a press release, the EPA said Oilfield Waste Management Services (OWMS) has changed the location for its proposed plant. “This decision was prompted by the concerns raised by residents within the project’s area of influence,” the release noted.
The EPA said that it received an application from OWMS for the Construction and Operation of a Waste Treatment Plant at Plot “A21” Planation Peter’s Hall, EBD.
“Subsequently, the EPA screened the project to assess its potential impacts on the environment and determined that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would not be required to inform its decision on whether or not to authorise the project. The EPA published its decision on the project in a Public Notice on September 27, 2020. The Notice also informed the public that any person who may be affected by the project may lodge an appeal against the EPA’s decision (EIA not required) within thirty (30) days of the date the Notice,” the release explained.
During the 30-day period, the EPA received objections and concerns from members of the public regarding the project’s suitability at the proposed location. As a result, the EPA placed the project on hold and engaged OWMS on the concerns raised. This led to the developer opting to propose the more remote Little Diamond location.
The EPA said that it will publish a Public Notice indicating the new location of the proposed project and informing any member of the public who may be affected by the project to lodge an appeal against its decision not to require an EIA for the project.
“However, the EPA will only proceed to authorise the project if there are no objections from the public and upon receipt of the location suitability approval from the Central Housing and Planning Authority,” it said.
According to OWMS’ project summary, the company plans “to construct a thermal desorption waste treatment plant in Guyana to support the growing oil exploration activities. The plant is based on a thermal desorption separator (hammer mill) which uses friction to heat wastes so that oil residue are evaporated. The evaporated oil and water contents are then condensed and recaptured / separated. The remaining solids can then be safely disposed or reused.”
It adds, “OWMS plans to recycle the recaptured oil so that it can be used in the Liquid Mud Plant manufacturing process. The solid wastes will be used in the bitumen manufacturing process. No solids are expected to be sent to landfills.”
