EU Commission Ends Infringement Procedure Against Bulgaria on Air Pollution

The European Commission (EC) took a decision to end the infringement procedure against Bulgaria, which had been launched after the country failed to fulfill its commitments on limiting air pollution.

The news was announced by the press service of Bulgaria's Ministry of Environment and Waters on Friday.

The infringement procedure concerned the air pollutants from the large combustion plants, which were stipulated in Bulgaria's treaty of accession to the EU.

According to the accession treaty, Bulgaria had a commitment to maintain the emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust from large combustion plants to a certain level.

As a result of the huge efforts and considerable investments between 2007 and 2013, the emissions of different pollutants from the large combustion plants decreased several times.

The emissions of sulphur dioxide decreased by more than six times, there was also a double decrease of nitrogen oxides, while there was approximately a five-fold reduction of dust.

In order to fulfill the national ceilings of air pollutants, there were considerable investments on the construction of desulfurisation plants as well as additional opportunities were sought to limit the emissions.

Among the additional measures were the application of higher levels of desulfurisation and lower levels of emissions from harmful substances, which have been discussed with the twelve largest combustion plants in Bulgaria.

As a result of the joint efforts of the ministry and the business, results were achieved, which led to compliance with the EU requirements and the closing of the infringement procedure.

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