Published On:Friday, March 26, 2010

FOLLOWING accusations by angry environmentalists, the Bahamas Electricity Company has strenuously denied that it covered up or destroyed any blue holes in Abaco.

Island residents who oppose the new power plant at Wilson City have criticised the government for constructing a facility which burns heavy fuel oil rather than a cleaner, less polluting alternative and have accused BEC of filling in a number of blue holes while constructing the road leading to the new plant.

The company issued a statement yesterday rejecting the blue hole claims and pointing out that it embarked on a multi-million dollar project to improve the electricity efficiency and reliability in Abaco "for generations to come".

It said: "As responsible corporate citizens, BEC recognises the implications of development and the impact it could have on the environment. Therefore, prior to the beginning of the project, and the expansion of the road running north of Robinson's Creek, a licensed local surveying company conducted a topological survey of the area. According to their reports, there were no noteworthy geographical features found."

BEC said that during the works to clear a 40 foot easement around the plant, several areas were deemed inadequate for load bearing equipment, due to cavities and fissures in the rock strata. Therefore, the excavation, examination, and filling in of these said areas was undertaken.

However, the company said, based on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), this was anticipated as some areas were deemed to be "soft" and needed to be "firmed up".

"They were not part of a blue hole or a cave system" the company insisted.

It said the report also noted that "very little alteration of the natural landscape" is to be anticipated as a result of the project, "but what little alteration occurs is mitigated by the benefit of the power plant for the citizens of Abaco".

The statement said: "The existing road was constructed over 100 years ago and is currently being widened and made suitable to accommodate heavy equipment, underground utilities, including fuel line, concrete foundations, and surface draining. Therefore, acceptable industry methods were put in place to ensure suitable infrastructure."

As an example of its commitment to protecting the environment, BEC pointed out that in an effort to avoid damage to the blue hole along the Ernest Dean Highway near the Lost Reel, the company "went to the extent" of diverting the road so as to avoid the area.