More regulations coming for petroleum industry
Published:Thursday | May 10, 2018 | 10:38 AM
Science, Energy and Technology Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley says more regulations are being crafted to direct the operations of the petroleum industry in order to ensure increased compliance.
Wheatley says the new regulations form part of the recommendations made by the Petroleum Trade Reform Committee which was established to investigate reports of contaminated fuel in the petroleum market, which arose in late December 2015.
“There will be quite a number of changes. We will ensure that if you want to play in this game you will have to comply with these regulations, and we’re moving with haste to implement those recommendations,” he said.
Wheatley was speaking at the second staging of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers’ Association of Jamaica (JGRA) trade show at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Wednesday.
He stated that already regulations have been instituted beginning with the signing of a Ministerial Order in 2017 that ensures that all petroleum products entering the island are tested and certified by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica.
Wheatley indicated that the Government is seeking to strengthen the current licensing mechanisms and penalties under the Petroleum Act and Regulations “to ensure the appropriate enforcement of safety standards for the petroleum sector”.
This includes the establishment of standards and regulations for liquid petroleum gas, natural gas and other forms of petroleum products.
Turning to other matters, Wheatley informed that the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company Limited is in “the execution phase” of its 190-megawatt liquefied natural gas facility in Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine.
The project is being undertaken through the company’s subsidiary, South Jamaica Power Company Limited.
“This project is moving on stream and on time and should see us commissioning the facility by June 2019. It is expected to cost some US$331 million,” he said.
The s new energy plant will allow the JPS to retire its aging Old Harbour Bay facility.
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