Environmental Health Department concerned over use of generators

The use of generators has blossomed since Hurricane Maria

With the majority of the island without electricity since the passage of Hurricane Maria, the use of generators has blossomed however the Environmental Health Department is expressing concerns over their use.

Senior Environmental Officer Sylvester St. Ville said the department has received several complaints about noise and pollution the generators cause, especially in urban areas.

To compound the situation he said Dominica does not have standards for emissions from internal combustion engines and this is a problem for the department. He said over the years standards for emissions have been developed but they have not been passed.

“We have draft regulations for those standards, however, we’ve not been able to pass them yet,” he stated on Kairi FM’s Healthy People, Health Environs radio program. “What we try to adopt is the World Health Organization standard for emissions in Dominica. It’s a tasking job presently because we have more generators probably than we have the capacity to monitor the generators in the country.”

He said people are now complaining about the noise and the fumes from the generators and if it continues, negative health outcomes will be seen.

“That is why we are beginning a partnership with the IRC (Independent Regulatory Commission) to begin to regulate the use of generators,” St. Ville stated. “I know people might be saying we are probably trying to be the Grinch that stole Christmas but no, we are not trying to be the Grinch, what we are trying to do now is to regulate the generators that produce electricity and as a result produce contaminants including noise and other air quality problems that will eventually affect our population.”

Meanwhile, Consumers Affairs Officer at the IRC Corine Pinard said generators under 20 kilowatts not connected to the DOMLEC grid does not require a license but must be registered at the IRC.

“This is one of the challenges we are having, there are so many generator sets on island and I would say over 98 percent of them, if not more, are not registered,” she said.

She stated that the IRC wants to work with the Customs Department to channel those coming in with generators to the IRC.

“In so doing, we will have the best record as possible, if it’s not 100 percent but we will have as many of the generators sets registered as possible,” Pinard stated.

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69 Comments

  1. Irma
    January 10, 2018

    @A. George: Is Paix Bouche a priority area? Asking for my friend. Because how do you neglect an area like Morne Daniel or Castle Comfort or Wallhouse and give Paix Bouche! lights??

    • Paul Rossnof
      January 10, 2018

      Well you see that is a good question. May be it’s for the same reason as with the agricultural grants. almost all of that gone to Veille Case, Paix Bouche and other labour strong holds. Never knew that almost everybody in Veille Case and Paix Bouche is a farmer. What a country, eh.

    • Me
      January 10, 2018

      Maybe mr. Skerrit has family connections in Paix Bouche?

  2. Anonymous
    January 10, 2018

    I’m just waiting forst Ville to make a protest about noise and pollution when they towing these heavy diesel generators behind equally polluting trucks during the carnival, right therein the middle of the public. Is that not a health hazard also?

  3. df
    January 10, 2018

    higher prices in shops no regulation
    relief items being sold to the public no regulation
    fumes from old vehicles no regulation
    no garbage pick up in certain areas no regulation
    domlec giving certain communities priority for re connection no regulation

    but u want to regulate generator use.
    and i bet there is a fee involved in order to have your generator registered.
    and how will that reduce the fume emissions as well as the noise?

    • Paul Rossnof
      January 10, 2018

      I agree with you. Double standards every where you look. This lot has not got a clue and it’s getting worse by the day!

  4. Ki - ZERBO
    January 10, 2018

    If Mr. St. Ville worked for me he would definitely be fired! In this beloved country of ours, we ALWAYS seem to recognize a challenge AFTER it has occurred. It is Mr. St. Ville who was supposed to advise the govt. on the importation and use of these generators; he is the Chief Environmental Officer after all!! Was he not aware of the potential dangers to humans? We always want to block the stable entrance/outlet AFTER the horses have bolted. A serious indictment on your part sir. We surely, can do better than that!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  5. Mike
    January 10, 2018

    so tired of people expecting handouts. every day is a struggle. font have 5 kids if you don’t have a job
    b. tell your kids not to have babies at 15… I lived in colombia.. it starts with you

    • Malatete
      January 10, 2018

      My point exactly. Don’t have children if you can not afford to look after them. It is not fair on the children and secondly why should other people be responsible for their upkeep?

  6. One and Only
    January 9, 2018

    Garbage…so iS someone suppose to stay with no electricity for the sake of environment…I’m using my generator non stop until electricity is back…

    • Paul Rossnof
      January 10, 2018

      …and I do not blame you for doing so!

    • Food
      January 10, 2018

      Ebeh u have money papa if u using it non-stop. Lol

      • One and Only
        January 10, 2018

        lol, doing what I can to be comfy

  7. no face
    January 9, 2018

    St. ville is not concerned about the noise, fumes and pollution from the big generators Domlec has killing the people of fond cole and the almost $100 million spent on geothermal, that has not generated one kilowatt of electricity but is concerned about the mostly new, gas generators with very little emission and tolerable noise. Stop singing for alu supper and clean up the gutters with all the big rats in Roseau. and don’t forget those rats in de top office.

  8. Roy
    January 9, 2018

    This is a good time to emphasise the use of renewables, particularly solar. there is no shortage of sunlight in Dominica. If countries in areas with less sunshine can get a lot of their energy from sunlight, why can’t Dominica?
    A few days ago Britain produced more energy from renewables than from fossil fuels for the 2nd or 3rd time.
    There is a scheme in some parts of Africa where people in very rural areas are fitted up with solar kits and voila, they have bright lights in their homes at night. They just pay a small fee for a couple of months and after that, if is free.
    Why can’t Dominica?

    • Irma
      January 10, 2018

      This is a good suggestion but what happens when it rains for days on end? Dominica is the rainiest island in the Caribbean.

      • M
        January 10, 2018

        Water power can also generate electricity. You do not need one centralisedsystem for that. Each village can have its own.

      • Dominican
        January 11, 2018

        We are blessed. We have wind, water and sunshine. Use all, either singly or in combination. We do not need one central power supplier for domestic purposes. If mr. Skerrit is serious about his climate resilience agenda hew should promote power independence, using renewable sources, as much as possible.

    • Old SMA student
      January 12, 2018

      There are some clearly good answers and solutions proposed by ordinary Dominicans in using alternative sources of energy (renewables). In Dominica, this administration will stifle steps to making this happen unless they can harness it financially with some form of permit or taxation. Domlec is a private organisation who will put its profits before the welfare of the inhabitants and would not see this development in its best interests.
      A coward will take what he is given – the brave will fight for their just rights. Dominicans need to decide who they are

  9. Anonymous
    January 9, 2018

    The government too crafty. Now they are roping in environmental health to give the IRC action a respectable face. Why don’t they ban all the old smelly cars and trucks we have.

  10. Tune
    January 9, 2018

    you guys are funny…

    You have standards but it has not been passed and now you all want to regulate…
    Just admit you all have no dam idea what you all were doing, cause these are some of the most ridiculous excuses i have heard. These people just seat on their *** and never think ahead, only wanna be reactionary and make excuses.

    We live in a tropical island and year after year we have been blessed and not been affected and you telling me all this time you guys could not use this blessing to put things in place…GIVE ME A BREAK

    • indira Ghandi
      January 10, 2018

      Dominica always seem to be reactive and not proactive.
      All of this should have been put in place a lonb time ago.
      Anyway we have to do what is best for our health.
      It is not right to have noise disturbing other people.
      ridiculous.

      • Anonymous
        January 10, 2018

        In that case we shoul not have Creole Music Festival either, or put it in a place where few people live because right now it is disturbing a lot of people’s night rest.

  11. Canefield East Resident
    January 9, 2018

    Mr. St. Ville, you were one of the first set of persons to get generator in Canefield East. You should be the first one to stop using your generator then I will follow suit. What a big hypocrite.

  12. zandoli
    January 9, 2018

    I still do not understand the purpose of registering private generators. They are now treating generators like guns.

    Anyone want to bet these same IRC people are running unregistered generators?

    • Sick of the BS
      January 10, 2018

      U know seeing is a pile of donkeys that running the country..Skerrit aka sleep is the biggest donkey of them all..he will beg countries for money and cry for help..now look at them blow some of it on carnival..where is Linton when u need him

  13. Traumatized
    January 9, 2018

    I am sick and fedup of the generators especially the fumes. I get headahes and dizziness as a result of them in my neighbourhood. I am also feDup of all the tin stuff. I was advised against eating that by my doctor years ago. Whats the alternative? Thats the billion dollar question. Aylass! Poor Dominica. All that carbon monoxide is definitely going to draw hurricanes to our already hurricane-ravished Dominica.

    • Anonymous
      January 9, 2018

      Sounds like you are disappointed you did not get one. Be honest, would you refuse if someone gave you one? I bet not.

    • One and Only
      January 9, 2018

      If the fumes are affecting you, move somewhere else. Ppl will not stop generators for other ppl health. I sure wouldn’t. My comfort means more.

  14. Missy white
    January 9, 2018

    U should b concerned about the garbage that is all over roseau
    Thts more of a health hazard….

    • Anonymous
      January 9, 2018

      Amen, I wish they would be so keen to install public toilets.

  15. hedi
    January 9, 2018

    I am having a little difficulty following the initial post. I am confused? while it is true that there may be a health risk using the generator but it would be best to perform an emission test in the environment first before you stop it’s usage,
    first you address noise control, then neighbor complaint, and final registering the generators. what difference would it make if one is to register the generator? would it release less emission in the environment, would they be less noisy? come on stop being a hater?
    Please help me to understand your reason for the post because you are all over the place. People cannot remain in the dark for this long. This is a bigger risk to life and property than the ability to see using a generator.
    I understand it takes time for everyone on the Island to have lights and we are patient, but please be flexible and allow people to have some normalcy in their lives instead of acting like the generator police and yes you are a grinch.

  16. Hold Dem
    January 9, 2018

    DOMLEC do your work we need electricity. thats the issue.

  17. Tobby
    January 9, 2018

    people trying their best to improve their lives after the horrific storm by getting a generator to provide electricity for them in the mean time Domlec wasting time focusing mainly in the city and forgeting rural areas and is that crap the people who looking for powers over a lil job coming up with. Well what to do go and take them little poor people generator instead of supplying them with free gas, come talking about register, register what all you full of joke in Dominica trust me.

    • A. George
      January 9, 2018

      you do realise many of the persons in the country come to the urban areas to work on a daily basis? which would you rather lights in your house or a job to go to every day?

      • Anonymous
        January 9, 2018

        You dimwit, using that old trick getting people to chose. The answer is of course that they should have both.

      • A. George
        January 10, 2018

        no Anonymous its not a trick… I live in the country and have CHOSEN not to have a generator … I have adjusted to the current situation and I am making the best of it. … I commute to town everyday … I see the effort DOMLEC is making … I am sure even they have staff who are without power in their homes but are working steadfastly to ensure that businesses, schools, health centres etc. are back on the grid. Of course I would love power restored in my area, but I understand that some areas are more of a priority than others and I dont put by personal needs above that of the country. If that makes me a dimwit, then I will proudly wear that cap. Best to you.

  18. really
    January 9, 2018

    Domlec started so fast and as soon as they finished roseau , the slow pace started . Already Domlec lied to people .. Everybody to the grid by April . Like really. More like September this year . Now you wanna tell people to come register . Go build roads and houses for people and tell Domlec to speed up the process.

  19. Paka Retourner
    January 9, 2018

    I have said it before. I will say it again. No matter how much money is pumped into Dominica, “DOMINICA WILL GO NOWHERE” unless these silly people and government agencies rid themselves of these foolish regulations. See what crap they are coming up with at this time when their focus should be getting more hands on deck to expedite the power restoration process. Can you imagine? Poor Dominica.

    • anonymous2
      January 10, 2018

      Your’re telling me. This island and its ways of doing things are pathetic.

    • Mother
      January 10, 2018

      Be honest, do we.need an IRC right now? Unnessaryexpense.

  20. Zandoli
    January 9, 2018

    When you collect that information, what are you going to do with it?

    • A. George
      January 9, 2018

      good question… I would like to know as well.

      • Mother
        January 10, 2018

        Trust me, they plan to tax all generator owners so they can pay IRC. These guys are devious.

  21. Truth Be Told
    January 9, 2018

    Here goes climate change resilience! The increase amount of Carbon Dioxide (Co2) that we are emitting nationally in Dominica thanks to these generators, will guarantee a more severe hurricane season this year! Just like these reconditioned cars being imported as new has contributed over the years to our increased Co2 emissions making our atmosphere hotter and more attractive to hurricanes.

    • anonymous2
      January 10, 2018

      The truth is that it doesn’t make any difference at all in the scheme of things.

    • anonymous2
      January 10, 2018

      The truth is that in the whole scheme of things the use of the generators doesn’t make much of an impact. If you want impact, try weather manipulation and weaponization which are destroying the ozone layer that protects us from the sun. That is out of your hands.

    • Billy Bob
      January 10, 2018

      Makes sense, great point actually! So maybe I am a small thinker… but, considering the CO2 levels which already existing I guess the 0.34% that is emitted by the 1000’s of generators operational in Dominica can really attract more and/or stronger hurricanes? “life is only for the living, so…….. try not to overthink!” all the best. Truth Be Told.

      • UKDominican
        January 10, 2018

        You mean they produce more pollution than Domlec’s diesel burning generators atFond Coeand Sugarloaf, which supply the whole island with electricity? That does not sound credible.

  22. mine
    January 9, 2018

    They have to be very careful of carbon monoxide the odorless, colorless silent killer.

  23. BILLY BOB
    January 9, 2018

    PURE BS, IRC SHOULD EMBRACE A SOLUTION. :-|

  24. I MUST ADMIT!!!
    January 9, 2018

    No doubt the place is too loud and too much unhealthy fumes that will negatively impact the lives of many. However, this is not the time for Environmental Officer Sylvester St. Ville and Consumers Affairs Officer at the IRC Corine Pinard to try to talk about registering generators. Instead of wasting time talking crap, they should be putting that pressure on DOMLEC and the government to speed up that snail like attitude and get busy giving people lights man.

  25. Irma
    January 9, 2018

    Choops tan!

    All you really believe that people really WANT to be using generators? They are costly to run, but what’s the alternative? Am I supposed to eat tinned stuff every day?! I am already hypertensive and not supposed to be eating tinned stuff. All you trying to kill people, man?

  26. L Smith
    January 9, 2018

    Please focus on getting electricity restored to the entire island first, then set this in motion. Cart before the horse never works well.

  27. derp
    January 9, 2018

    well you know there is this thing called solar panels, maybe the government should have ZERO IMPORT TAXES when importing those panels for personal use to ENCOURAGE CLEAN ENERGY HMMMMM

    • kingman
      January 9, 2018

      I thought all items for renewable energy was already duty free, why don’t you all do some research before making comments you know nothing about PLAYING SMART.
      STUPES!!! we too like to talk on issues we now nothing about.

      • Anonymous
        January 9, 2018

        Is it duty free or are you just thinking so. In any case if mr. Skerrit is seriou about his climate resilience gospel he should not even charge vat on on anything that produces clean energy.

      • derp
        January 9, 2018

        I personally purchased one online and still had to pay tax when it came down so HUSH your mouth

    • really
      January 9, 2018

      Derp , there is removal of tax on solar panels .. you just make yourself look bad

      • derp
        January 9, 2018

        Nope I still had to pay tax, it should be like this ‘ oh a solar panel just take that and go comrade’ but no I still had to pay tax on it, VAT, import duty whatever you call it they still get money from the clean renewable energy they want to promote if they really cared they would make it pass free ?

    • Country Man
      January 9, 2018

      They should remove the VAT on solar panels . The VAT is a challenge – duty free alone is not going to cut it.

  28. A
    January 9, 2018

    IRC my foot, they only want to collect money from everyone running a generator. Iwishthe government showed the same concern with noise pollution caused by loud musi.

  29. Concerned
    January 9, 2018

    Nobody in their right mind is going to go register a small generator. Doesn’t the government have more important things to do than this silliness?

    Maria was an extraordinary event that doesn’t require a lot of time creating more rules and regulations for something like little generators. Spend your time figuring out how to help harden water and power systems against a disaster like this again.

    Bureaucrats. :(

  30. Neville
    January 9, 2018

    What do you expect? Domlec still can’t supply electricity to 70% of the island. I’m just amazed with the nonsense these government agencies are coming up with.

    • Dominican
      January 9, 2018

      You are so right. Nobody is running these generators by choice . They would prefer a regular power supply by Domlec anytime. The government could save itself a lot of money by cutting down on this IRC, which costs over a million dollars a year to run. And what for? Even befor Maria is cost was not justified but now it is just laughable. They should make themselves redundant instead of behaving like parasites.

      • Paul Rossnof
        January 9, 2018

        Jobs for the boys…

      • Larry Grell
        January 9, 2018

        I agree. The IRC are in bed with DOMLEC. They should change their name…..they are not independent. They are the biggest hindrance after DOMLEC to encouraging persons to go green and the adoption of renewable energy…ask the Ececutive Director and Chairman why they adopted a document from DOMLEC without any consultation with any stakeholsers. This document gives DOMLEC far reaching powers even the power to determine the size of the generator someone can purchase and install and tied to the grid. They approved it wholesale and placed it as is with the DOMLEC logo on their website.

        Let’s see how serious the Dependent Regulatory Commission are about Skerro’s climate resilience promise.

      • Me
        January 10, 2018

        Don’t forget the girls Paul!!

      • Dominican
        January 10, 2018

        Larry, if you are right it would mean thatDomlec are in cahoots with the government because Asia as I know the IRC are paid by government. However, Domlec are legally entitled to be the sole generator and supplier of electricity on the island but they are under no obligation to buy their diesel from PetrCaribe. So it is in the interest of government to keep Domlec sweet.

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