Another half a million euros for coal from Romania’s state budget
December 12, 2018
A Government Decision granting RON 2 775 722 (EUR 596 000) to Oltenia Energy Complex to expropriate the land needed for the planned Craiova Power Plant ash storage expansion has been put into public debate by the Ministry of Energy.
Romania ‘gave illegal permits’ to own energy firm
October 12, 2018
The Oltenia Energy Complex took over people’s land, mined lignite and increased coal production despite state climate action pledges. Source: Romania ‘gave illegal permits’ to own energy firm
Romanian coal mine blocked from expanding, but neighbours remain without water
December 11, 2017
The village of Lupoaia in southwest Romania depends on the mining company for their drinking water. The company wants to expand the nearby mine, thus further increasing the local pollution.
The Runcurel expropriations, Europe’s second most harmful subsidy
May 22, 2017
The Romanian Government has been named and shamed today in a public fossil fuel subsidies awards ceremony in Brussels for fostering land expropriations required for expanding a coal mine, displacing families and destroying nature.
Success: Romanian government promises to respect property of villagers threatened by coal mine
May 24, 2016
After months of protests and the people in Runcurel, a small town in Romania that is to be swallowed by a lignite mine, have finally received positive news from the Romanian government. During a meeting with Bankwatch Romania and Greenpeace Romania, the Minister for Energy Vlad Grigorescu confirmed that the government will do more to protect locals and their houses. Read more background in our photo story
[Campaign update] Romanian government sued over unlawful expropriation of mining community
March 24, 2016
After decades of putting up with noise and dust, people in Runcurel, Romania are being told they are in the way of national interest. Together with the two civil society organisations, land owners are challenging the government’s decision and the coal company’s actions.
Turceni coal unit in Romania shut down after operating illegally
February 4, 2016
The shut down of a coal-fired power plant unit is another great success for the climate and for clean air in Romania. Many more units may have to follow according to legislation on pollution limits.
Success: 391 hectares of Romanian forest saved in 2015
January 11, 2016
With one more positive court decision just before the end of the year, Bankwatch Romania had a lot to celebrate in 2015.
[Campaign update] Romanian government support for controversial power plant project to be made public, EBRD loan cancelled
September 9, 2015
Bankwatch’s Romanian chapter has been granted access to environmental information included in a letter sent by Romania’s Ministry of Economy in support of a loan from the Euoprean Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to Oltenia Energy Complex (OEC), Bucharest’s administrative court ruled yesterday. The letter will shed light on the nature and extent of the government’s support for the project, and whether it was in line with EU regulations.
Unpaid coal bill: Romanian coal exports to Serbia marred by corruption
April 21, 2015
A dodgy deal to export coal from Romania to Serbia has left the Romanian state-owned coal supplier with a potential seven million euros write-off.
