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.
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