Protection of citizens and the environment in Niscemi (Sicily) from the MUOS (Mobile User Objective System)
3.8.2012
Question for written answer E-007557/2012
to the Commission
Rule 117
Rosario Crocetta (S&D)
Near the town of Niscemi, in the protected nature reserve of Sughereta, a site of Community importance (SCI), a MUOS installation has been set up, consisting of three high-frequency tilting satellite dishes and two UHF helicoidal antennas, connected by a satellite device.
The new terminal will have a severe impact on air traffic in the Sicilian skies, particularly on the Sicilian airport of Comiso.
ARPA Sicilia (the regional environment protection agency) has carried out a range of tests on the emissions generated by the Niscemi ground station, which detected electric field strengths close to the safe upper limit of 6 V/m. (The measurements have shown in particular that there is an intensive and constant electric field near houses, which means that the safety limits for the population will have most certainly been reached and quite likely been exceeded. In one case the value detected was close to the legal upper limit).
The area where the MUOS has been installed has a population of over 300 000 inhabitants (and includes the towns of Niscemi, Gela, Victoria, Caltagirone, Piazza Armerina, Butera and Riesi) and is already defined as a ‘high environmental risk area’.
Can the Commission therefore say whether it will:
- 1.verify the legitimacy of such an installation for the citizens and environment of this part of Sicily;
- 2.send inspectors to check whether these installations can be harmful to the health of citizens;
- 3.check that the MUOS system will not cause any further damage to the protected area (SCI)?
OJ C 229 E, 08/08/2013