IT certainly seems that SEPA have had enough of the continued flaring incidents on our doorstep.

Now I would be first to say that I have had a lot of sympathy for the gas plant for the fact is that equipment does break down and flaring is the safest way of dealing with these.

However, there is now no doubt that the flaring incidents of the past year have been straw that has broken the camel’s back and we have reached the point where something has to be done to ensure that the site is up to expected standards.

Last June the flaring was very shocking at the Exxon plant and it seemed to last for day after day and never looked like ending.

The noise and smoke in the early stages was totally unacceptable and was the big talking point on the High Street.

It was a major technical problem caused the situation but once it was sorted you felt that will be it for a long time.

Alas no and since then there has been several incidents which have caused more flaring so it is time that the SEPA people got involved.

These things do take time, of course, and during their investigation there could be more flaring.

While Exxon have been carrying the can for the flaring Shell will also be under the eye of the investigators so their operation will be thoroughly examined also.

I noticed in the Times that Exxon have said that their aim is to ‘always minimise the impact of the plant on surrounding communities and wider environment’.

There is no doubt that the past year has seen that aim fall short of its target but at least now the community can feel assured that the Mossmorran questions will be fully answered.

FLARE STACK,

Selkirk Avenue,

Cowdenbeath.