Bratislava Lodges Appeal against EIA Rating for Slovnaft Incinerator Project (2)

Bratislava, 23 July (TASR) - The City of Bratislava has lodged an appeal against the decision of the Environment Ministry concerning an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the waste-to-energy centre project proposed by the Slovnaft refinery, Bratislava's spokesman Peter Bubla told TASR on Thursday, adding that according to the city, the ministry has failed, for example, to address all the comments raised. The city council is requesting that the final decision should be overturned and the matter referred back for further consideration. "We're convinced that the Environment Ministry didn't address all the comments raised by the capital city during the EIA process. For example, it isn't at all clear from the decision how the issue of waste collection was dealt with," stated Bubla. Similarly, Bratislava City Council claimed that the impacts on public health weren't sufficiently examined and stated that when assessing the suitability of the site for a new incinerator, the Environment Ministry failed to take into account the nature of the area in question - namely, that it is a protected water management area bordering on several protected areas. Similarly, according to the capital city, the decision fails to take into account the current pollution load on the area from existing sources of pollution or the size of the area that will be affected in various ways by the proposed activity. "In light of all the above facts, we propose that the final opinion should be revoked and the matter referred back for further proceedings and a new decision," said Bubla. In a response to TASR, Slovnaft stated that it respects the legal right of the parties to the proceedings to lodge an appeal. However, it stands by the project. According to the company, the project has undergone a rigorous and transparent EIA process, during which several project parameters were adjusted in response to comments from the public and the authorities. It also reiterates that it will incorporate all new requirements and measures specified by the Environment Ministry. The refinery also draws attention to an independent expert assessment, which confirmed that the chosen technology meets the European Union's strictest requirements for best available techniques and doesn't pose any increased health risks to the population. "We therefore maintain that the waste-to-energy centre is a safe project and will be of strategic benefit to Slovakia," stated Lucia Corbova from Slovnaft's communications department. Corbova noted that, in future, they will be able to recover energy from a wide range of non-recyclable waste. Otherwise, this waste would end up in landfill or be exported abroad at great expense. Before being processed, solid waste will also pass through a sorting line, where recyclable components are separated. The ministry's approval of the waste-to-energy centre project is based on a final opinion issued as part of an 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 were 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 6-8. am