site.btaSofia's Waste Treatment Plant to Begin Operation in Second Half of 2015

Sofia's Waste Treatment Plant
to Begin Operation
in Second Half of 2015


Sofia, January 1 (BTA) - In a BTA interview Environment Minister
Ivelina Vassileva said that Sofia's waste treatment plant is
expected to begin operation in the second half of 2015. "We are
cooperating closely with Sofia's local authorities and we'll
check construction progress in January," said Vassileva.

According to her, upgrading systems in the Waste sector across
the country may involve the private business as well. "We aim to
bring together all institutions and involved parties: the
state, the municipalities and the business to develop these
systems through applying the principles of resource efficiency
and integrated management," said Vassileva.

The first bill which the Environment Ministry will submit in
2015 to the cabinet for discussion envisages changes to the
Water Act whereby a single national body will be established to
oversee the technological condition of hydro facilities. Also,
changes are envisaged to the Environment Protection Act to
reduce the administrative burden. Meetings are scheduled with
the European Commission to specify the details of the water
priority axis of the new Operational Programme for Environment
2014-2020. Vassileva voiced hope that following the meetings
Bulgaria will be ready to move for approval of programme.

For the first time funds will be allocated for improving air
quality (60 million euro), for flood prevention and risk
management (60 million euro) and landslide management (20
million euro) in support of national policies. PK/PP

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