PS Slams Environment Ministry's Decision on Slovnaft Waste-to-Energy Plant (2)

Bratislava, 14 July (TASR) - The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party has criticised the Environment Ministry's decision approving the construction of the Slovnaft refinery's proposed Waste-to-Energy Centre (CEZO), describing the move as an example of the government's "unprecedented arrogance", TASR has learnt from PS's media department. According to PS, the ministry ignored the views of experts, protests by Bratislava local governments and a public petition. "Data and expert opinions show that Bratislava does not need a second waste-to-energy plant. It's therefore likely that it will also be used to incinerate waste imported from abroad. [Environment Minister Tomas] Taraba's approval is a betrayal of the people living in the capital," stated PS MP Tamara Stohlova. According to PS, Environment Minister Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) should be protecting the public interest and people's health rather than promoting projects that run counter to expert recommendations and Slovakia's and the EU's long-term objectives. By his decision, Taraba has once again prioritised the interests of large businesses, according to PS, which also criticised the ministry for issuing its decision before the petition could be formally discussed by the petition committee. The extra-parliamentary Democrats party has also criticised the ministry' decision, describing the way the Environment Ministry and Taraba handled the process as "giving Bratislava residents the middle finger" and "a brazen mockery". They also pointed out that the decision was issued two days before the scheduled discussion on a petition signed by more than 18,720 people. Expressing deep disappointment, the party announced it would appeal the decision. Democrats vice-chair Michal Kica told a press conference that "the ministry didn't even have the decency to wait and at least hear the views of these Bratislava residents and the petition committee regarding the incinerator. It didn't wait to hear their arguments so that after discussing the petition, at least these arguments could be incorporated into the final opinion, that is, the decision giving the green light to the incinerator in Bratislava". Kica also criticised Taraba for previously declaring that he wouldn't allow Slovakia to become "Europe's rubbish bin", while now he doesn't consider the Slovnaft refinery's project to be a problem. He noted that Taraba hasn't presented a waste management strategy including waste treatment and waste-to-energy facilities, which is one of the government's tasks. Furthermore, Kica rejected the argument that an incinerator with a capacity of 220,000 tonnes – regardless of how modern it may be – would not have a negative impact on air quality. The party clarified that it doesn't oppose energy recovery of waste, but believes such facilities shouldn't be located in areas that are already heavily burdened by industrial activity. The ministry's approval of the CEZO project is based on a final opinion issued as part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process before its entry into force. In its final opinion, the ministry set 56 additional technical measures and conditions aimed at increasing safety and minimising any adverse effects on the environment and human health. Slovnaft welcomed the ministry's approval, calling it good news for Slovakia and a strategic investment. The company also noted that during the EIA process several parameters have been adjusted in response to feedback from the public and institutions. The refinery has declared its readiness to incorporate all additional technical measures and requirements specified by the ministry. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraphs 5 to 8 jrg