One of the largest enterprises of Transnistria – Moldova Steel Works (MMZ) has paid the tax for environmental pollution for the first time in the history of Moldova.
Environment Minister Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov announced this, noting that the amount of this pollution tax in 2022 was paid this year and exceeded 0.5 million lei. "Also, for the first time in Moldova's history, MMZ reported all emissions and all activities in the RETP system (National Register of Emissions and Transfer of Pollutants)," Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov said. The head of the environmental agency said that MMZ has reapplied for a 5-year air emission and waste management permit. According to her, the plant has received many regulations that need to be fulfilled to obtain such authorization. "They are gradually bringing everything in line with Moldovan legislation. Now MMZ representatives are contacting the Moldovan authorities on a monthly basis to obtain air emission and waste management authorizations. When the current authorization expires and they apply again, we will check whether they have fulfilled all the prescriptions," the Environment Minister said. She said that, moreover, the Ribnita Cement Plant, which is also a major polluter, is at the stage of adjusting its internal documents in order to obtain the environmental authorization in Moldova. According to the minister, the cement plant was also inspected. "Taking into account that these two enterprises want to continue their activities, I believe that they are also interested in obtaining environmental authorization," added Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov. MMZ has a temporary authorization in force now, which is issued for 1 month by decision of the Commission for Emergency Situations. Former Environment Minister Iuliana Cantaragiu said earlier that the issuance of the technical authorization to MMZ is one of the conditions set by Tiraspol so that the right-bank Moldova could buy electricity from the Moldackaya GRES, located in the Transnistrian region. //12.09.2023 - InfoMarket.
