Ministry blocks power plant in Black Sea province after negative environmental report

After a negative environmental assessment report (ÇED) for a thermal power plant in Turkey's Black Sea province of Samsun, the Environment Ministry has decided not to proceed with the construction of the plant. 

A thermal power plant with a 660-megawatt capacity was planned in Samsun's Temre district, but studies showed that it would have a negative effect on both the natural environment and on tourism in the region, Reuters reported a senior official from the Environment Ministry as saying. 

"In the examinations, it was determined that problems regarding storage at the power plant would emerge, sea pollution would increase during the cooling process, the corridor of highlands would be effected negatively, and as well as agriculture, breeding and forestry, the tourism sector would also be negatively affected," said the official, according to Reuters. 

"As of yesterday [Oct. 26], it was decided that the facility would not be constructed and the ÇED process would be ended completely," the official added. 

Yaprak Güryel, the lawyer of the company that wanted to construct the thermal power, T?M Eurasia Inc., said they "did not believe the decision was based upon a technical reason."

However, the Environment Ministry official said the company had not conducted the environmental benefit analysis and had also not conducted any assessment work on how the sea water would be affected if the power plant was set up. 

"As this area [where the power plant was planned to be built] is close to the Ye?il?rmak Delta, it has been determined that it would also negatively affect the wetland of Akgöl," the official said. 

Another official from the ministry said the views from Terme locals, collected during a consultation...