fp Turks and Caicos

It is immediately evident when speaking to Mr. Musgrove why PPC selected him for this challenging position. He not only talks the talk of improving our environment, but carries to heart a genuine concern for the beautiful nature which surrounds us in the TCI.

Eustace Musgrove was appointed by PPC’s President and CEO, Mr. Eddinton Powell, in June of this year to the position of Environmental and Safety Officer. Mr. Musgrove is responsible for advising and implementing new and existing environmental and safety procedures as part of PPC’s new full-scale environmental program, designed to improve environmental and safety standards at the plant, head office and amongst employees.

Mr. Musgrove explained PPC’s motivation to move in a more friendly direction as apart of the parent company, Fortis’, mandate that all of its utility companies adhere to a sound environmentally friendly culture. Although it is not required by the government of Turks and Caicos, PPC under the direction of Fortis has chosen to work towards achieving the ISO 14,001 standard by 2012, which is the international benchmark on environmental management.

While PPC says their current standards are already high, “we realize that we can’t sit on our laurel,” Mr. Musgrove explained. In 2001 PPC commissioned an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) which made a series of recommendations on emissions controls, noise attenuation, and spill management. Since that time the company has been implementing these recommendations.

For example, PPC says they do not burn Heavy Fuel oil, which have negative environmental implications, but rather light No. 2 diesel, which is the same fuel diesel vehicles use.

However, for the time being, Mr. Musgrove says the primary focus is on the generating plants where steps have been taken to dramatically manage plume emissions, noise level, and ground contamination amongst other things through improved engineering designs, or changes in the way things are done. According to Mr. Musgrove, “The desired result will be in reducing our environmental “carbon footprint””

PPC says their commitment to the Environment is not a new or short term plan, rather a long term commitment they have made to their employees, the country and the earth. The current dimensions have been extended into a five year plan, which Musgrove says will take the following steps:

“Step one will be the development and implementation of an Environmental policy with the objective of educating all employees and contracted workers on the significance of the program, its targets and initiatives.

Other steps in the five-year plan include the installation of larger and more efficient engines, All new building will be noise attenuated, and retrofitting older buildings with noise attenuating technology, moving to lower sulfur diesel as soon as it becomes available in the Caribbean, stringent oil spill management, diagnostic equipment to improve preventative maintenance.”

Always on the mind of the consumer is how these changes will affect them and their pocket book. Musgrove explained, “The most important affect will be in respect to fuel cost. As we become more efficient and use less fuel per KWh, it will cost less to our consumers.”

PPC is hoping the steps they are taking will lead other local organizations to move in a more environmentally friendly direction. “The Turks & Caicos is not totally environmentally friendly as yet,” Musgrove said, “ Even though considerable efforts have gone into keeping our islands clean, much more improvement can be done in terms of garbage disposal, recycling, littering, and air and water contamination. Proper legislation needs to be put into effect and enforced to ensure total compliance by all.”

While it seems at the moment Musgrove is alone as an Environmental Officer for a local company, he says, “Other business establishments can follow suit by developing and implementing their own form of environmental policies that will help them in their cause to protect the environment based on their business activities. The safeguarding of the environment is a shared responsibility for the sake of preserving the natural resources of the islands for generations to come.”

Musgrove represents a great standard as an environmental activist. While he is championing at PPC for the improvement of their environmental standards, he also encourages everyone to take part in keeping our country beautiful.

Musgrove left us with some tips of the things PPC customers can do to help preserve our environment:

1. Dispose of used car batteries, spent motor oil, used tires, engine coolants, etc. in a proper manner by taking to an auto shop or recycling center for disposal.
2. Avoid burning plastics, rubbers, paint cans, or any other hazardous substances which will release fluorocarbons into the atmosphere.
3. Minimize wasted energy losses by shutting off unused lights and appliances thus reducing the energy demand for production.