“The situation can be waived to satisfy EPA compliance,” Muna said yesterday, adding that the governor’ declaration of emergency would also allow for an exemption from EPA compliance.
Muna said he sought guidance from the Division of Environmental Quality even before the arrival of the Aggreko units on Saipan.
“DEQ was handling that for us and I told Rep. Tina Sablan…we had that we’ve been transparent to DEQ from the beginning,” he said.
He said he talked with DEQ about the emission issue and pipeline and the division continues to guide CUC on areas that require compliance or how to get waivers or exemptions.
An application for an EPA clearance will be required if Aggreko will operate after 12 months, Muna said.
CUC’s 12-month contract with Aggreko started in September.
Other than Sablan, Ind.-Saipan, Muna said there has been no environmental group that expressed concern about the need for an EPA clearance for Aggreko’s operations in Lower Base.
Sablan is expected to visit the Aggreko site today.
Since Aggreko turned on its generators their emission remains “practically clear” compared to that of CUC’s power plants, Muna said.
