European Parliament : Notice to members - Petition No 1528/2016 by Rocco Sofi (Italian) on the pollution risks from the Colleferro incinerators and the alleged infringement of European legislation in Italy - PE 613.335v01-00 - Committee on Petitions

European Parliament

2014-2019

Committee on Petitions

31.10.2017

NOTICE TO MEMBERS

Subject:Petition No 1528/2016 by Rocco Sofi (Italian) on the pollution risks from the Colleferro incinerators and the alleged infringement of European legislation in Italy

1.

Summary of petition

The petitioner expresses concern about the serious environmental deterioration and the health risk resulting from a waste-to-energy plant in the municipality of Colleferro (in the town of Colle Sughero, in the Lazio region). According to the petitioner, the incinerators in question are 'dated, obsolete and inappropriate for the correct disposal of waste', and, owing to repeated instances of malfunctioning and accidents, they require continual exceptional maintenance. The petitioner also claims that in recent years criminal proceedings have been brought concerning the incinerators. The industrial pollution from the plant have made people living in Colleferro and in the municipalities of the Sacco valley worried about their health.

The petitioner refers to a number of problems that have arisen in the Lazio region in relation to waste processing. The petitioner therefore asks, in relation to the Colleferro plant, for a check as to whether Directive 2010/75/EU of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) is being infringed. Such a check should place particular emphasis on assessing environmental impact, the transparency of the procedures and public participation in the decision-making process. Finally, the petitioner asks for adherence to all the European rules protecting the environment, health and well-being of citizens, in compliance with the precautionary principle.

2.

Admissibility

Declared admissible on 25 April 2017. Information requested from Commission under Rule 216(6).

CM1138760EN.docx

PE613.335v01-00

United in diversity

EN

3.

Commission reply, received on 31 October 2017

The petition is set in the broader context of the waste management problems in the Region of Lazio. This Region has a level of separate collection of 37%, well below the target set by the EU legislation at 65%. The Region has some issues in ensuring the correct treatment of the waste produced, i.e. infrastructure deficit regarding the composting plants and problems concerning the optimal utilisation of MBTs installations. Moreover, the landfill of Malagrotta, one of the largest in Europe, is located in this Region. Although this landfill has been closed since 2013, it is subject to an investigation intended to check the regularity of its closing and after-care operations.

Incineration is not the best option according to the waste hierarchy principle set out in the Waste Framework Directive, but it is not prohibited. The choice of the appropriate waste management facilities belongs to the national authorities, provided that the waste hierarchy principle and the targets set out in the EU legislation are respected. Likewise, it falls under the remit of the national authorities to guarantee that the authorisations requested for the plant are granted in compliance with the relevant EU legislation and that the public is effectively informed and consulted.

Conclusion

From the information provided by the petitioner, there is no evidence of a breach of the relevant EU environmental law provisions. The Commission considers that there is no need for action in this respect, unless the petitioner provides further information about the alleged breach of EU environmental law.

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CM1138760EN.docx