Environment

Bulgaria named EU’s top SO2 polluter, accused of “persistent” breaches of limit values

coal-power-plant-SO2-Bulgaria

Photo: Pixabay/byrev

Published

January 25, 2021

Country

Comments

0

Share

Published:

January 25, 2021

Country:

Comments:

0

Share

Three environmental organizations have accused Bulgaria of systemically and persistently violating the European Union’s (EU) rules on SO2 emissions and permitting coal-fired power plants to emit far more than is allowed under EU law. Bulgaria is the top EU country for SO2 pollution, and the number 21 in the world overall, according to an analysis of NASA’s data by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air and Greenpeace India.

NGOs ClientEarth, Greenpeace Bulgaria, and Za Zemiata wrote to the European Commission’s directorate-general for the environment, providing additional information on Bulgaria’s continuing violation of the SO2 limit values and saying it might help the commission’s ongoing infringement case against the country before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). They urged the commission to ensure the country’s compliance with the EU directives on air quality and industrial emissions.

Coal-fired power plant Maritsa East 2 allowed to emit nearly twice as much SO2 as the EU limit value

State-owned coal power plant Maritsa East 2, one of the biggest in the Balkans, was given permission in 2019 to emit almost double the EU limit for SO2, while two more plants, ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 and AES Maritsa East 1, were issued draft permits in 2020 for a similar relaxation of rules. Another plant, Brikel, has submitted a similar application, according to the letter from three NGOs.

Bulgaria’s government is “doubling down on its efforts to keep old polluting power plants alive”

Meglena Antonova of Greenpeace Bulgaria has said that instead of focusing on eliminating SO2 emissions, the Bulgarian government is doubling down on its efforts to keep old polluting power plants alive, which is directly threatening people’s health.

Exposure to SO2, and the fine particulate matter PM2.5 it forms in reaction with other air pollutants, has been linked to a number of adverse health effects, including respiratory problems, heart and lung disease, and even dementia.

In late 2020, the European Commission launched a procedure before the CJEU against Bulgaria for breaches in air pollution, citing failure to comply with the EU limit values for coarse particulate matter (PM10).

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

International Day of Forests-Forests and innovation new solutions for a better world

International Day of Forests 2024 – Forests and innovation: new solutions for a better world

20 March 2024 - The 2024 International Day of Forests 2024 is all about innovations. They can help us restore, protect, and sustainably utilize our forests.

EU-Critical-Raw-Materials-Act-crma-looser-social-environmental-rules

EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act adopted with looser social, environmental rules

19 March 2024 - Pursuing strategic autonomy, the European Union put together the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) after a major delay in the last phase

global-recycling-day-2024

Global Recycling Day 2024 to celebrate #RecyclingHeroes

16 March 2024 - Global Recycling Day 2024 is putting the spotlight on people, places, businesses and activities that showcase the importance of recycling

Solar Startup Award 2024 Solar Materials recycling

Solar Startup Award 2024 goes to Solar Materials for recycling tech

07 March 2024 - The startup has developed a recycling technology that allows the recovery of raw materials from solar panels at a 98% rate