Public participation in IPPC processes in POPs contaminated areas.
The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) process involves protective activities including minimization and elimination of POPs emissions from industrial sources in the European Union. Local authorities have the main power and responsibility during the IPPC process which dispenses the integrated permissions for industrial operations. Arnika wrote two case studies about its participation at IPPC processes related to the POPs issue. The first concerned Spolana, a.s. Neratovice and BCD CZ-cleaning up of the old ecological burden (dioxin buildings, debris, soils and other materials). In this process, Arnika successfully argued that PVC waste should be separated and not burned; reduced the dioxin emission limit to water by half (2.5 ng/L); waste should be decontaminated using a non-incineration technology; and mercury monitoring should be included. The second case study was about Spolek pro chemickou a hutni vyrobu, a.s., Usti nad Labem (short name Spolchemie)-Operation Epitetra (epichlorohydrin production), Operation Tetraper, and Operation Incinerator of chlorinated residues (unintentional POPs production). In this process, Arnika and the Civic League opposed issuing a license for the facility since it did not meet requirements of Best Available Techniques; there was unwillingness to evaluate the burden on local population from POPs; insufficient monitoring; synergistic effects not taken into account; legal rules were not observed; and inconsistency with the Stockholm Convention. The Czech Ministry of Environment agreed and cancelled the integrated license.
Outputs:
Report: Public participation in the IPPC procedure-Epitetra, Spolek pro chemickou a hutni vyrobu, a.s. Usti nad Labem
Report: Public participation in IPPC procedure: set of plants for elimination of old ecological burdens-Project Spolana - dioxins