According to the nation’s laws, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandated to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations through measures designed to prevent pollution.
In spite of this, the EPA still granted to ExxonMobil, a permit, the language of which is so ambiguous, that the oil giant is allowed to pollute the nation’s air space with over nine billion cubic feet of gas which contains toxic carcinogens and greenhouse gases.
During yesterday’s episode of Kaieteur Radio’s programme, Guyana’s Oil and You, EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams reminded that ExxonMobil has been flaring gas since last year Christmas due to a malfunctioning gas compressor system for the Liza Destiny vessel. Dr. Adams noted that the faulty piece of equipment has been sent to Germany to be fixed. Once it returns, he is hopeful that the flaring can come to an end by August 10. Until such time, Dr. Adams said that the permit’s vague language does not leave the EPA in a strong position to say or do more than wait. In the meantime, he assured that moves have been initiated to close loopholes in the permit.
International Lawyer, Melinda Janki, who was also a guest on the programme expressed that she was sympathetic of the circumstances Dr. Adams seems to be caught in. She was keen to note however, that neither Dr. Adams nor the EPA has any legal standing to allow ExxonMobil to pollute the atmosphere until its gas compressor system is fixed. The lawyer pointed out that the EPA in allowing this to occur, is flouting the nation’s laws which require that the agency control or prevent pollution.
See more here: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2020/07/24/guyana-broke-its-own-laws-to-facilitate-exxonmobils-flaring-intl-lawyer/