Taraba: Environment Ministry Requests 42 More Documents for Surany Battery Plant

Bratislava, 16 July (TASR) - The Environment Ministry has requested that the investor behind the Surany battery plant should submit an additional 42 documents and studies, as the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process cannot proceed until these materials are provided, Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (SNS nominee) announced following an emergency special session of the House environment committee on Wednesday. Taraba emphasised that the approval process is being monitored more closely than any other and gave assurances that the battery plant is undergoing a strict evaluation. He also clarified that the ministry’s role is to assess, not to permit the project. "The Environment Ministry is not a building authority. We don't authorise construction. We assess the impact a particular or proposed activity has on the environment. If the impact is negative, we determine whether it aligns with existing standards. If it doesn't, we outline what corrective or additional measures are needed to allow the project to proceed," he stated. The House committee for agriculture and the environment did not hold a formal discussion on the Surany battery plant project on Wednesday, as there were not enough MPs present for a quorum. The session had been initiated by the opposition 'Slovakia' party. MP Rastislav Kratky ('Slovakia'-For the People-KU alliance) objected to the project, arguing that the battery plant doesn't meet basic EU standards and violates the law. mf/df