This Is Guernsey

By Simon Tostevin

John Curran, director-general of the Office of Utility Regulation, speaking at the Chamber lunch yesterday. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0552468)

THE Office of Utility Regulation is going to review phone mast emissions.

Director-general John Curran told yesterday’s Chamber of Commerce lunch that it was important to establish whether masts were the most appropriate standard for the island. ‘We are aware of the concerns about emissions generally from mobile phone masts.

‘And we will soon be starting a review and audit of the emissions of every mobile phone mast in Guernsey.’ He said the consultants tasked with the review would be responsible for exploring the standards in other countries.

Mr Curran said that on sites where operators shared facilities, such as the Forest water tower, the emissions would be measured for each company and a calculation would be made to see what the result was of having more than one operator on the same site.

The cost of running the OUR is expected to fall to about £500,000 this year – the lowest since the office was set up in 2001.

Mr Curran said costs had fluctuated since that time but had come down steadily over the past few years to £750,000 in 2007.

Article posted on 19th March, 2008 - 2.29pm