MILNERTON
Now
more English!
- SEDERT 1984 -
ONS HET VOORRAAD ! Email: tyger@dieburger.com
B u r g e r Wednesday 4 April 2012
Taurusstraat 10 • Brackenfell • Tel (021) 981 4501 www.gho.co.za • info@gho.co.za Fred Prinsloo Reklame gho/18/11/2011 A
Tel: 021 910 6500
Fax: 021 910 6501
Chevron refinery, situated between Milnerton and Bothasig, is at the forefront of a Subcouncil 3 moti on tabled recently. Photo: André Bakkes
) Cllr Vos asks for full status report
Pollution within limit? ANDRÉ BAKKES
“Where there is smoke, there is fire.” This was the heading of a recent subcouncil motion by chairperson, Alderman James Vos, made in regards to the Milnerton Chevron Refinery, which is prominently situated on the corner of Plattekloof and Koeberg roads. He touched on “episodes of substantial smoke and unpleasant smells” emanating from the Chevron Refinery and hence requested
among other points, a full status report on the air quality around the refinery and how the refinery is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint. “I am under pressure from the public to respond to these important environmental health issues within my constituency and go on record for stating that I will do everything possible to hold the authorities accountable for ensuring compliance with the provisions of our Air Pollution Control by-law and the associated air quality management measures,” stated Vos.
The refinery’s spokesperson, Delight Ngcamu-Aitken, assures the public, however, that they are complying with the legal guidelines regarding atmospheric emissions. She elaborates: “The legal limit is 22 metric tons of sulphur dioxide per day. Emissions differ from day to day depending on operational conditions, but the refinery is guided by and operates within the legal limit. Chevron is committed to safe and healthy operations for the benefit of our employees and the communities in which we operate.” Vos is adamant that it is vital for
the refinery to reduce their carbon footprint and “go green” just like its counterparts in other countries. Ngcamu-Aitken responds by saying that the 46-year-old refinery continues to invest in projects that minimise environmental impact. “Over the past years, we have installed a tail gas treating unit, a vapour recovery unit for tanker truck loading, electrostatic precipitators, as well as upgrading the refinery wastewater plant. We have also implemented additional monitoring programmes to identify and minimise fugitive emissions,” she says.
She also highlights that refinery management is looking at a landscaping project in the future. She continues: “The property surrounding the refinery is owned by the City of Cape Town, and we would need to engage them to ensure alignment with the city’s infrastructural plans.” Vos is apparently in regular contact with Ngcamu-Aitken and their relationship is amicable. “The public is putting me under pressure, so they want action,” he says. . To page 2.
April fool’s @ Ilha