If what the members of the Geothermal Awareness Group are saying is true, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted on the geothermal project in the Roseau Valley is a carbon copy of an outdated one conducted several years ago.
Arthie Martin made that charge when he and other members of the group conducted a press conference here recently.
According to Martin, the outdated EIA had failed to address the current issues relating to the ongoing geothermal exploration.
“When we read the current EIA being presented by government, we realize that a lot of the data referenced as part of the best practice are not part of the report. We also discovered that a lot of the biological assessment data was what they gathered several years before, as opposed to date gathered at the point of the study,” he explained.
Martin said 80 percent of the latest report has been extracted from a report done many years ago.
“They just basically cut and paste. This cannot be alright. EIA’s must be conducted for extraction, production and reinjection wells. We realize that they have departed that aspect from the best practice. They did not follow procedure,” he explained.
Martin has also accused government from violating and ignoring the Geothermal Act.
“There is supposed to be an independent regulatory agency according to the Act but there is none of that. They were to create that agency but this did not happen. So according to law, the entire exploration exercise is illegal. That’s a very serious thing for us to say but after having done the research, we know we are right,” he added.
A six-day flow test conducted on the geothermal project in June has indicated that Dominica has the potential to produce its own energy.
The island’s geothermal energy has been called a national priority for Dominica by prime minister and minister for finance, Roosevelt Skerrit.
He has stated that electricity generated from geothermal sources will lower the cost of energy.
Government has invested over $54 million in exploring the island’s geothermal potential
What really is his job title? What are his qualifications? An environmental activist is NOT an environmental scientist. He sounds more like an activist than a scientist who is aware of the real potentials of geothermal energy.
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That’s nonsense. The Prime Minister would have said that in his Budget speech. Stop the fear-mongering.
Martin again what about the TSUNAMI PUMP??? The one that was going to dry up Ti Tou Gosh the one that was going to put our rivers in serious jeopardy, you remember??
Man you doh have SHAME?? Gosh man, let it go already and just admit that the project is going on very good as planned, you already hi-jack the committee from Gary (LMAO), what else you want??
Your hotel will be a beneficiary of this project so encourage it not destroy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Joe……..I am not an expert on TSUNAMI, but Hawaii has live active volcanoes , so does Iceland: no tsunami. This month we had earthquakes of California AND DOMINICA: no tsunami. But the evil opposition forces see Tsunami climbing the hills and going all the way to the mountains.
Are they for real, or are they actors in a pantomime.
Athie what about the drilling? are they still drilling under Morne Watt??
One day you will realize this land call Dominica is much bigger than you and success is a must not an option!!!!
What research you have done and where. Have you seen the impact on project in the USA, Iceland, Greenland and even China
Are you not the same Martin who told people from Castle Bruce to plant peppers instead of bananas when you kicked out Geest Industries, and helped Edison James put the final nail on the banana industry
Are you the same guy who held meetings in Virgin Lane with youths to radicalize dreadism and rastas. Should I ask Angelo on Q95 about those days.
If you are such and expert researcher why not research the people who burnt your brother Eddie our musical hero; So they can be taken to justice . Your research will teach you that there is no statute of limitation. While you are researching injustice while not do one on the death ofThemothy in 1979. You were TOP dog in the COMITTE for NATIONAL SALVATION.
What awareness group. I am sure the membership of this group is padded with DAAS people
Athie is right again! Procedures were not followed in the environmental impact assessment and in the creation of the independent regulatory agency. Mr. Martin failed to tell us how the current project will impact the flora and fauna in 2013/2014 and beyond as opposed to, say, 2005.
The regulatory agency would definitely create employment for a few more big boys with AC office space, new vehicles and fat salaries. Athie is lamenting the fact that another 20 million dollars have not been spent on the exploration project to meet these needs immediately.
The project has tremendous potential in terms of meeting our energy needs. We should all be concerned about the environment but we do not have to be extremists, like the tree hugging environmentalists who oppose every aspect of development. Had Athie Martin been present when the hydro electric power plant was built in Trafalgar, with all the excavation and the 150 , or so, concrete steps plunging down the valley, he would have opposed that too, citing its impact on the lakes and waterfalls. These armchair environmentalists do not care about human development but their own ego and ability to attract foreign funding for their little crusade.
It is the same Martin who kicked out Geest Industries out of Dominica and told Castle Bruce people to plant pepers
Yes he is the same, then he spent his time in virgin lane radicalizing rastas.
Ancient History and off-topic.
I am a young female voter. I need relevant and up-to-date info.
That kind of maypwi and posturing just doesn’t cut it.
Athie is right again! Procedures were not followed in environmental impact assessment and in the creation
Why this prophet of doom Athie Martin keep frightening people like that when will he stop
Dominica is really free this man has speaking doom and destruction for years now it is time that someone stop him
It’s a shame. It is said that Dominicans, when undergoing a medical procedure demand to know what scalpel the surgeon chooses and how many sutures intended to close the wound. Suspicion is a close neighbor of ignorance!
Mr. martin, what do you expect from an outdated government? Do their actions surprise you? This corrupt team needs to leave our cabinet and go on some penance to see if some of their evils will be forgiven.
the point is not whether or not it is a good or a safe form of energy to get into. it is an excellent form of energy, it will produce jobs, and eventually reduce the electric bill. it is considered a clean form of energy. since the exploration requires a large sum of money, and that money must be obtained from outside sources, then there is no way that the price of electricity will have an immediate reduction. it might most likely increase within the first few years then gradually decrease. maybe in the next 10-20years (after installation) dominicans will enjoy cheaper electricity.
Cheaper! Roster will lay eggs before that happen.
Anything cheaper in 2014 than those in 2000?
Dream on.
Interesting….how can one join/support this group? I am suprised they haven’t been labeled a terrorist group by the government.
well I waz thinking the same thing for a long time now.
Affie boy, stay home and mind hotel! (Sing to the tune of Brown skin girl)
I hope Mr. Martin is wrong because if not, what about this government can I trust? It is an administration that is bent on staying in power and they will do all they can to accomplish their agenda. They will continue to lie, steal, fake information, hide behind pulpits to play religious until they are struck like king Uzziah 2 Chron 26:18. It is a corrupt government that must deceive the simple to stay in power so they could continue to enrich themselves and cover their sins
You people are talking as if it was the Government who prepared the EIA. A firm was hired to do the study and the Government does not have control over what material they include in the report, or for that matter, the way in which the study was conducted. We put our trust in the professionalism of the firm hired to do the study and we are then guided by their findings. So please stop inciting the public by saying stuff like “what about this government can I trust”.
You talking Fouchette!!
Martin boss…… I GIVE UP ON YOU!!!!!!!!! I MEAN SERIOUSLY MARTIN???
Who prepared this EIA Martin????? Please inform us, we want name and qualification of that person or persons whichever that prepared this EIA that you so boldly speak of!!!!
Maybe they should employ you to to an UPDATED ONE!!!!!!!!
SMFH AT THIS BIG MAN!!!!!
Athie you finally getting it. I have been calling and making reference for the longest while Re: EIA for the re-injection wells. Well spotted Athie. On another note, the biological data is pretty comprehensive and a good baseline for future studies i.e Roseau river hydrology and associated dynamics. I enjoyed reading about the acoustic and decibel levels that were tested. We need an EIA for the re-injection wells and transparency in the best practices that were employed in conducting such an exercise.
Skerrit, Collin and the rest of his administration give a rat behind regarding people health in the valley and as a matter of fact Dominicans on a whole
This government is disrespecting Dominicans left right and centre, yet they are blind and likewise Skerrit some still saying they like their PM, Dominicans take note, whenever something is wrong with Skerrit and his gang of comrades they ran to the neighboring French countries for medical treatments, Dominicans need to open their eyes wake up and smell the coffee, Dominica’s so called hospitals which is nothing else but a walk in clinic is for the poor and less fortunate on that piece of rock for which if Columbus will have no problem in identifying after setting foot on the piece of rock hundreds of years ago
Dominican need to do their research regarding that geothermal stuff, they need to read and listen to the cries of the people of Iceland, those residing in the varsinity of the plant in Iceland, all I have to say is that when it is all said and done and this thing starts acting and disposing all the toxic in the air Skerrit, Collin and the others will be the first running to other countries
DNO it would be nice to get a copy or reference of the documents that Martin is talking about. I have a copy of the last impact assessment and have read through it. I must admit our current environmental monitoring policies are lacking and I am afraid we do not have the level of expertise nor experience to deal with potential impacts.
As I have said before any resource exploration requires lots of capital and is risky. The government has already invested over 54 million which it cannot afford to loose. At this point it will do whatever it takes to see this project completed. This is the reason why Government don’t explore for oil and gold etc. Private companies bare the risk and gov set regulations to protect its people. We are all upside down in this place.
And as soon as those same private (foreign) companies start making a profit, you will be the first to start complaining that foreigners are making money off the backs of poor people.
There is no winning in your eyes.
Shaka Zulu where were you when Washway and Gabriel was cursing the government for wanting to put this project in the hands of the private sector??
Washway and Gabu even formed a new political party at the time on the basis that the government is giving away the resources of the country.
However we are not as upside down as you think cause the 120mw plant will be financed and managed by the private sector….. This small 11mw plant is really for local consumption.
What next????????? Everything that is tried not working wa papa
Fake report from a government that is not concerned about the health or welfare of its citizens. Dominicans exercise your right to vote are remove them while you have a chance. We are dealing with a dictatorship. Change is a must.
Be careful of what you ask for change it might be for worst. If that change happened I told you all that you all tears will flood Dominca. I see it and was real.