FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1987
NEW AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS PUBLISHED
THE GOVERNMENT
REGULATIONS
TODAY
(FRIDAY) PUBLISHED AMENDMENTS TO THE CLARIFYING THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY'S DISCRETION TO REJECT AN APPLICATION INVOLVING THE INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION OF A FURNACE, CHIMNEY OR OVEN.
THE REGULATIONS WERK MADE ΤΟ RECTIFY AN INADEQUACY IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, DISCOVERED EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN EIGHT FACTORY OWNERS SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED AGAINST A PROVISION UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE FORBIDDING THEM TO INSTALL FURNACES AND CHIMNEYS AT TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE.
UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FURNACES, OVENS AND CHIMNEYS) (INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1987, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MAY REFUSE TO GIVE HIS APPROVAL TO AN APPLICATION IF, IN HIS OPINION, THE RELEVANT PLANT CANNOT BE OPERATED WITHOUT:
(A)
(B)
(C)
CAUSING OR CONTRIBUTING TO AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE; OR
EMITTING EXCESSIVE AIR POLLUTANTS BY REASON OF UNSUITABLE DESIGN, DEFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION OR MAINTENANCE, EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR OR THE USE OF UNSUITABLE FUEL OR OTHER MATERIALS; OR
CONTRAVENING THE ORDINANCE.
IMPORTANT FOR INDUSTRIES OF THE NEW
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS INTENDING TO INSTALL SUCH CHIMNEYS AND PLANT TO BE AWARE REGULATIONS, AS APPROVAL WAS BY NO MEANS AUTOMATICALLY GRANTED.
"THERE ARE CERTAIN DISTRICTS IN THE TERRITORY, SUCH AS SHA TIN, TAI PO,
JUNK BAY AND SAI KUNG, WHERE GENERAL RESTRICTIONS ARE APPLIED ON THE TYPE OF FUEL WHICH CAN BE USED," HE SAID.
"IN OTHER LOCATIONS, SUCH AS KWUN TONG, KWAI TSING AND TSUEN WAN, WHERE AIR QUALITY IS ALREADY POOR, OR WHERE RESIDENTIAL AND OTHER POLLUTION SENSITIVE RECEPTORS ARE ADJACENT TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS, SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS IN TERMS OF PLANT DESIGN AND FUEL TYPE MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED THOSE CONCERNED TO CONTACT THE AIR CONTROL GROUP OF THE ONEV TRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT FOR ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE WHEN IN DOUBT, THIS WOULD AVOID EXPENDITURE ON PLANT AND EQUIPMENT WHICH MIGHT NOT BE APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
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