Emission Controversy Over Oil Refinery: authorities weigh environmental objections by mid-March
Oil Refinery Controversy - Authoritative Body Evaluates Opposition Arguments - Oil refinery controversy - Regulatory body assesses opposition concerns
Now, the state's environmental agency is working diligently to complete their review on the air pollution concerns surrounding the oil refinery PCK situated in Schwedt, Brandenburg, by the end of March. The application for leniency in sulfur dioxide emissions, filed by the refinery in January, has cultivated backlash from environmental groups.
Various parties, such as the Polish municipality of Widuchowa close to Schwedt, German Environmental Aid (DUH), state representatives of nature conservation organizations, and the Schwedt National Park Association, have voiced their opinions on the proposed exemption for sulfur dioxide regulation. The public was invited to offer feedback regarding the draft permit.
The environmental office expressed their aim to reach a consensus and subsequently publish the decision prior to Easter, emphasizing that any ruling on the exemption permit can't be finalized before this point.
The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has issued plans to contest the relaxation of emission standards. Sulfur dioxide, contributing to air pollution, is primarily formed during combustion processes as a result of sulfur oxidization in the fuel.
PCK refinery has requested a temporary reprieve from the established emission limit for sulfur dioxide as an average daily limit until December 31, 2027. In extraordinary circumstances, the release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) may surpass 1,000 milligrams per cubic meter of air, though the annual emission should not show an increase, the authority underscored. Prior to this, the refinery's power plant had been subject to a special regulation permitting 600 milligrams per cubic meter for the daily average, according to the environmental office.
Boasting approximately 1,200 employees, the refinery has ceased processing Russian oil since the start of 2023 due to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the facility has transitioned to alternative sources. Two subsidiaries of the Russian state corporation Rosneft, based in Germany, are majority shareholders of the plant; however, they have been under federal control since the end of 2022.
- Oil Refinery
- Environment
- Schwedt
- State Agency
- German Environmental Aid e.V.
- Brandenburg
- The state agency in Brandenburg is working to complete their review on the air pollution concerns surrounding the oil refinery in Schwedt, as various parties have expressed their opinions on the proposed exemption for sulfur dioxide regulation, including the German Environmental Aid (DUH).
- The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has planned to contest the relaxation of emission standards for the oil refinery in Schwedt, as the refinery has requested a temporary reprieve from the established emission limit for sulfur dioxide, citing a transition to alternative sources due to the Russian oil embargo.
- In the midst of an emission controversy over the oil refinery in Schwedt, the state's environmental agency is aiming to reach a consensus, emphasizing that any ruling on the exemption permit can't be finalized before the end of March, by which time they hope to publish their decision.
