If the Caymanian Compass were to publish a front-page story on April 1st about a plan to establish a pollution-free oil refinery in George Town, everyone would just assume it was our annual April Fool’s Day gag, and probably one of our least believable ones.
But when such a story appears on the front page on June 20th, as it did this week, people are left wondering if the government has truly lost its collective mind.
We spoke out against the establishment of an oil refinery here in February after Premier McKeeva Bush first mentioned the possibility and we will continue to speak out against it.
Although we support Mr. Bush on several of his development initiatives, we firmly oppose him and the government on the oil refinery issue.
Oil is not the fuel source of the long-term future, so we have to question the wisdom of investing in something like a refinery now.
Cayman also does not have the environmental regulatory and enforcement structure to adequately manage something as potentially dangerous as an oil refinery, nor does it have the emergency services to deal with a large-scale fire or spill. Putting the necessary safeguards in place will cost tens of millions of dollars, something Cayman cannot afford.
In addition, establishing an oil refinery – even one that’s supposedly pollution-free – sends a completely contradictory message with regard to Cayman’s desire to be known as a ‘green’ country.
It makes no sense to build a LEED-certified government office accommodation building; to propose legislation to allow electric cars; to have the George Town Landfill capped and remediated; to establish a new environmentally responsible solid waste facility in Bodden Town; to encourage recycling and the purchase of local products to reduce the carbon footprint of consumer goods; to promote the Cayman Islands as a green tourism destination; to do all of these things and more to make the country green and then to establish an oil refinery here.
Turning Cayman’s green initiative black with oil is a terrible idea that needs to be scrapped.
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Oil Refinery?
What is the need for an Oil Refinery on Grand Cayman?
The Grand Cayman Refinery would be exporting most of its output. It will need a dock for tankers to load up the exported Gasoline and Diesel The Benefits are small, slightly cheaper Gasoline at the pumps and Diesel fuel for CUC. The output of the Refinery will be at World Market pricing, savings would be the import freight charges only.
The possibilities of an Oil or fuel spill endangering our Coral Reefs and Aquatic life far outweighs any small savings. Can you imagine what Ivan might have done to a Refinery on Grand Cayman?
I was disappointed that the Wind Farm was dropped for a Long Range Weather Radar Station. I feel the Wind Farm was more important to Grand Cayman than the Radar Station.
CUC’s stronghold on the Electric Generating and Distribution needs to be looked at. Individuals who want to install their own Solar or Wind electric generating Systems are hindered by CUC’s refusal to offer reversing Meters for these systems. Buy back schemes should be offered as they are in most parts of the World as are Government Incentives.
Green, Green are you having a laugh!
Most people here drive in 4 Liter or more Cars, There is little or no recycling on the entire island, We burn oil to produce electricity (There is no Green energy anywhere), We run AC all day, everyday. We dump rubbish meters high for all to see. Where is there any green on this island, except maybe the local golf courses.
The writer of this letter needs to have a look around them, they will not see any green anywhere!!