Aspiring Member States Risk Violating EU Pollution Limits

Several new European coal plants, authorized by the Energy Community, risk breaching EU pollution limits if they proceed according to their plans.

Commitments made under the Energy Community treaty by Moldova, Ukraine among others oblige them to comply with the EU's Industrial Emissions Directive by 1 January 2018, Euroactiv.com reports based on EU law firm analysis.

At least five new lignite power plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro could violate the directive before this date.

Potential health and environmental damage from the proposed coal builds has already resulted in environmental protests in Ukraine, due to poor regulatory standards for hazardous pollutants.

The plants most likely to breach the EU's Industrial Emissions Directive are Tuzla 7, Stanari and Banovici in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pljevlja II in Montenegro, and Kolubara B in Serbia, Euroactiv.com informs.