Taraba: No Proposal for Malinec Hydro-electric Plant if Locals Oppose It

Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - If the local government doesn't want the Malinec hydro-electric plant in the village of Latky (Banska Bystrica region), Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) won't submit the proposal for its construction, the minister stated after a government meeting in Mala Lehota (Banska Bystrica region), adding that he's a politician who will always respect the decisions of the people. According to Taraba, five potential sites have been identified in Slovakia where a hydro-electric plant could be built. "We're offering them the opportunity. A two-billion investment is on the table, which can be financed through genuine financial sources outside the state budget, as it's so profitable that even banking consortia are expected to compete to fund it. But if the locals say they don't want anything there, that they only want bears, high unemployment [rate], and not the €3,000 salaries that are planned, then that's their decision," the minister said. The minister believes that Slovakia is well-suited for building hydro-electric plants, which he considers the most environmentally friendly and profitable solution. He claimed that Austria has 13 such plants under construction and 23 already in operation, while 17 have recently been built worldwide. The proposal has met with concern and opposition in the Podpolanie region, where residents signed a petition to halt the project. Local authorities also criticised poor communication about the planned hydropower plant in Malinec. lin