“None of us wants to close down large combustion plants. The complex permits issued define the conditions under which each of these plants can operate. Non-fulfillment of these permits results in a violation of environmental norms, and this leads to the termination of their activity until compliance.” This was stated by the Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova at a joint press conference with the Minister of Energy Rosen Hristov.

She added that the Ministry of Environment and Water focuses on preventive control, providing the relevant prescriptions to eliminate violations, in full use of its control powers and the force of the law. At present, daily inspections, including on weekends, are carried out at each of the major combustion plants. Experts from other regional environmental and water inspectorates have been dispatched, she explained.

“This is not solely an environmental problem. Until now the fragmentation of activities has entailed a lack of adequate results,” said the minister and emphasized that the mentioned violations affect the energy sector, lead to social and financial problems, and create a health risk.

Minister Karamfilova reminded that within less than 12 hours, from Friday to Saturday, 8 times values were measured exceeding the ceiling norms for sulfur dioxide in Dimitrovgrad. Our country, as a member of the European Union, has made a commitment not to allow more than 24 occurrences of excess sulfur dioxide average hourly values and no more than 3 excess average daily values. “On Saturday, we reached the threshold of the 3 average daily norms,” ​​she explained.

“This moment is extremely critical given the fact that there are two infringement procedures against Bulgaria in respect to air quality. One is for violating the ceiling norms for sulfur dioxide, and the other is related to fine dust particles”, said Minister Karamfilova and added that the ministry is currently providing information to the European Commission so as to show that our country is maintaining a sustainable trend towards a reduction of the excess values of sulfur dioxide.

Minister Karamfilova added that on September 21 Bulgaria will partake in oral hearings at the Court of the EU, whereby the goal is to demonstrate that our country implements measures to prevent more systemic violations and explain what those measures are.

“Unfortunately, the situation that occurred on Friday and Saturday puts us at a huge risk and entails an extremely negative trend,” said Minister Karamfilova.

When asked about the “Brikel” TPP, the minister explained that shortly before August, a coercive administrative measure was imposed with preliminary execution, which was overturned by the court at first instance. Subsequently, the second instance court confirmed with the motives that it concerns socio-economic aspects, without mentioning environmental norms. The TPP is currently operating, but daily inspections are carried out.