Open letter to prime minister of Montenegro in support of MANS
March 8, 2012
Montenegro’s Network for Affirmation of NGO Sector (MANS) is being heavily criticised by the government because of its advocacy on electricity prices. Bankwatch sent this letter of support to Montenegro’s prime minister.
COGEN Slovakia, Cogeneration in Povazsky Chlmec
March 7, 2012
The new greenfield gas cogeneration power plant COGEN in north Slovakia is planned to produce power and heat. Located in Považský Chlmec, a town in the Žilina district, the new plant would further deteriorate the quality of life of locals, who have for decades been suffering from the negative impacts of a nearby waste disposal site and nearby highway.
Polish Climate Coalition letter to prime minister: Don’t block more ambitious climate targets
March 7, 2012
With regards to a EU Council for Environment on March 9, 2012 that will include a discussion on “A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050”, 22 Polish environmental groups asked the Polish government not to block EU’s acceptance for taking a more ambitious targets in GHG reduction.
Letter to rapporteurs for the Common Provisions Regulation of the future Cohesion Policy
March 2, 2012
The letter, sent by the Coalition for a sustainable EU Budget, includes discussion points that are crucial for the future Cohesion Policy regulations. Now, during the ongoing debates in the European Parliament, it is the role of MEPs to ensure that the EU becomes a resource efficient low-carbon economy, shifting Europe’s regions on a sustainable path.
Destroying future NATURA 2000 sites in the Balkans. The European Commission’s role in steering the EBRD’s investments
March 1, 2012
The letter complains about the EU’s negligence of its shareholder role in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and its lack of scrutiny of two recently approved projects that are set to contravene EU principles and standards: the Ombla hyrdopower plant in Croatia and the Boskov Most HPP in Macedonia.
Confirmatory application regarding disclosure of results of the interservice consultation for Ombla hydropower plant
February 29, 2012
The EBRD’s Board of Directors approved the Ombla hyrdopower plant project on 22 November 2011, before an assessment had been carried out regarding the project’s impact on a proposed Natura 2000 site. In addition the project is being carried out on the basis of an Environmental Impact Assessment study from 1999, whose content may not fully reflect the requirements of EU legislation in this area.
Letter: European Commission should make use of its shareholder role in the EBRD
February 28, 2012
A look at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s investments in the Ombla hydropower plant in Croatia and the Boskov Most plant in Macedonia reveals that the EU does not make full use of its shareholder role in the Bank and allows approval of the projects that contravene EU principles and standards. Read more on our blog:
Enquiry regarding the Natura 2000 assessment process of the Ombla hydropower plant
February 27, 2012
More information on the Ombla hydropower plant project is available on our website. The EBRD replied to our enquiry on March 1, 2012. Their answer can be downloaded as pdf.
High risk of corruption in Sostanj TES 6: Report by Slovenian Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (unofficial translation)
February 23, 2012
For many years TES 6 has been surrounded by rumours of corruption. In February 2012 the Slovene State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption published a report stating that acts of corruption could have influenced the awarding of the contract to French company ALSTOM and that the law on the state guarantee itself was initially drafted by employees of HSE, the owner of the Sostanj power complex. Slovene NGO Focus Association for Sustainable Development has translated the report to English. (The original report (in Slovenian language) is available for download here (pdf).)
Comments on Romania’s application for transitional allocation of free emission allowances
February 22, 2012
Last year, the Romanian government applied for allocation of approximately 75 million tonnes of emissions allowances free of charge in the period 2013-2019. In return, our government proposed a national investment plan that includes 22 (out of 24) fossil fuel installations and would result in 36 percent of the proposed new capacity coming from coal.
