DHTA supports geothermal project with reservations

Geothermal testing in Dominica
Geothermal testing in Dominica

Former Vice President of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA), Maxine Alleyne-Espirit, has said the organization supports the geothermal project currently ongoing in Dominica.

However, she explained it must be done properly and the government will be held responsible for any negative impacts.

Speaking at the DHTA’s 42nd Annual General Meeting earlier in the week, Alleyne-Esprit pointed out that the high costs of energy was one of the main issues discussed at one of the organization’s “Food for Thought” events.

“Food for Thought is one of the fundraising activities held by the association. We managed to pull off two and the first of these was on geothermal development in Dominica,” she said.

She pointed out despite the DHTA’s support, there are concerns of the project’s potential impact on the environment, pointing out it must be done properly.

“Geothermal energy is a good thing, however, it has to be done properly and we are to hold the government responsible on how it is going to be done so that all negative impacts can be mitigated,” Alleyne-Espirit stated. “The resource is available and can be exploited in a way that does not cause more harm than good in short term and in the long term then we are in for it but it is something that has to be monitored.”

She pointed out that the DHTA should remain in constant dialogue with the government in order to remain updated on the progress of the project.

Drilling of a re-injection well in Trafalgar begun last week.

In geothermal terminology a re-injection well is “any well or converted well constructed to dispose of geothermal fluids derived from geothermal resources into an underground reservoir.”

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9 Comments

  1. Yes Butter
    November 18, 2013

    What is the reservation that the DHTA has about the geothermal project? The DHTA members have been bawling about high electricity rates since the UWP sold government shares in DOMLEC to a private company. Some of them have bought standby generators which they run continuously, disturbing the neighborhood and polluting the atmosphere. I would think that anything that holds a promise to reduce the price of electricity would be welcomed with open arms by the DHTA and each of its hoteliers. Instead we are caught up in the politics which infests every organization and issue in Dominica and instead of an overwhelming support we are getting a qualified support for geothermal that is “yes, but”.

  2. banan
    November 17, 2013

    boy oh boy;is all i can sigh!!

  3. Anonymous
    November 17, 2013

    On Monday, the international news agency in the UK, Reuters, reported on Guatemala’s withdrawal from the Venezuela-led Petrocaribe oil alliance after the Central American Nation failed to negotiate favorable rates for purchases and financing. The question to be asked…. what rates for purchasing and financing did Dominica negotiate?

    http://www.watchinga.com/article?utm_source=watchinga&utm_medium=topicpage&utm_term=GOWatchinga_venezuela-123146&utm_content=news&utm_campaign=rssfeed&u=http%253a%252f%252fwww.csmonitor.com%252fWorld%252fAmericas%252f2013%252f1115%252fVenezuela-s-regional-energy-program-Petrocaribe-wobbles

  4. Plan Dominque
    November 17, 2013

    Shame on you DHTA for lending support to this madness onging in the valley. What do you mean when you say if it is done properly? Are you aware of the other viable and affordable alternatives to solving our energy cost and realising renewable energy sufficiency while complementing the environment that will help sustain tourism in general and eco-tourism in particular? Pursueing our energy needs through hyro, solar and wind is the way to go. Really shameful that an organization charged with promoting tourism in Dominica would lend support to such activities in the valley given the numerous threat to tourism development, health and safety that such activities pose.No wonder tourism is on the decline given such leadership at the DHTA

    • Anonymous
      November 17, 2013

      You full of hot air.

  5. Corrupt_Bastards
    November 16, 2013

    DNO what kind of reporting u have in Dominica a Big Story like this is not on your website
    Venezuela’s regional energy program Petrocaribe wobbles

    Guatemala announced in early November that it was pulling out of Venezuela’s Petrocaribe alliance. The Chavez-era oil-for-regional-influence program could be on its last legs.

  6. dafriend
    November 16, 2013

    i fully agree with this statement. If it’s done properly it can help Dominica to make that vital step forward. If it turns out that we can even build a larger planet and we’ll be able to export to Guadeloupe and Martinique that would be another two or three steps forward. Energy is a valuable commodity right now and it will get more and more expensive. Go for it but make sure the country benefits from it not a multi-national.

  7. good advice
    November 16, 2013

    :-P ban that ‘*+##+$ and sell the metal as scrap …. :-x :-x

    • Anonymous
      November 17, 2013

      They fraid, they fraid!

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