First
Alcoa public meeting today
By
Kim
Boodram
Trinidad
Express
Port
Spain
Petroleumworld.com
08 27 06
ALUMINIUM giant, Alcoa, will today face the local
media on its plans to establish an aluminium smelter
in South Trinidad.
Today's session at the Marriott
Hotel on Invaders' Bay is the first of three, with
Alcoa taking on the public on Wednesday and Thursday.
This comes after a stream of clashes
involving anti-smelter protesters, Alcoa, the Government
and those who welcome two smelters in the Cap-de-Ville/Chatham
area. Two weeks ago, Alcoa tried to begin soil-testing
at the proposed site but were physically opposed.
Alcoa's smelter compound is expected to take up
1,500 acres. There is protest over the devastation
of virgin forest as well as plans to relocate Chatham
village. There has been nationwide condemnation
of the Government for a lack of transparency and
public consultation.
Local governing body, the Environmental
Management Authority (EMA) has accepted an application
from Alcoa for a Certificate of Environmental Clearance
(CEC). A draft Terms of Reference for Completion
of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which
has to be available for public review, has been
issued.
Alcoa has indicated that "a
team of senior Alcoa officials" will field
questions today. The conference begins at 2 p.m.
and is expected to include an update on the project
and a review of the CEC process.
Trinidad Express
Tuesday,
August 22nd 2006
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