The Environmental Protection Department says there are no grounds to extend the public inspection period for the environmental impact assessment report on the Castle Peak Power Company Limited's proposed liquefied natural gas project, as the applicant has complied with the requirements.

Under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, there is no provision for the director to extend the period of public inspection, other than in limited circumstances.

Under section 7(3), the director's power to extend the period of public inspection for up to another 30 days can be invoked only when there is non-compliance with requirements such as those on advertising and public exhibition.

There were requests for the director to extend the public inspection period for the report on the Castle Peak Power Company Limited's proposed project. As the applicant has complied with the requirements, there are no grounds for the extension.

People may give written comments on the report before the 30-day public inspection period ends on January 25.