EC examining info on ex Ilva infringement procedure

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 17 - The European Commission (EC) is examining information received from the Italian authorities in recent weeks pertaining to an infringement procedure opened in 2013 in relation to alleged non-compliance with EU regulations on industrial emissions at the then Ilva steelworks in the southern Puglia port city of Taranto, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
    "The Commission has actively monitored the progress of the Italian authorities in addressing the issues of non-compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive raised in the reasoned opinion" sent to Italy in April 2014, the EC spokesperson told ANSA.
    "The Italian authorities adopted an environmental plan in 2017 with the intention to resolve these issues by August 23, 2023," the spokesman added.
    In the procedure, the EC complained that operations at the former Ilva plant, now called Acciaierie d'Italia, failed to comply with EU legislation on industrial emissions, with potentially serious consequences for human health and the environment.
    "Although some shortcomings have been addressed, several breaches of the Industrial Emissions Directive remain," said the reasoned opinion sent by the EC almost 10 years ago.
    These included "shortcomings such as lack of compliance with permit conditions, inadequate management of by-products and waste, and insufficient protection and monitoring of soil and groundwater", according to the letter.
    The massive plant that is southern Italy's single biggest employer directly and indirectly had already been blamed for a major environmental and health disaster over a number of years, amidst near-crippling economic woes. (ANSA).