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Large-scale monitoring of enterprises operating in the town of Rustavi launched to effectively enforce the law on ambient air protection
Mrs. Maia Bitadze, Chairperson of the Committee of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, at the Parliament of Georgia, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, Mayor of Rustavi Mrs. Nino Latsabidze, State Representative in Kvemo Kartli region Mr. George Dokhturishvili, Executive Director of the Georgian Business Association Mr. Levan Vepkhvadze paid a visit to the metallurgical (ferroalloy) enterprise owned by the company Ltd ‘’Rusalloys".According to the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, the main goal of the respective campaign is enabling enterprises to fulfill their environmental obligations taken under the legislation, at the earliest possible time.
"At the initiative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the draft law was elaborated, under which, the obligations are imposed on enterprises (including online monitoring), which are emitting harmful substances into the air. Accordingly, all large enterprises have to improve and update their technology, specifically, proper filtration system is required to be installed to reduce the emission of harmful substances.
We got acquainted with the obligations and their fulfillment status at the meeting in the company Ltd ‘’Rusalloys".It should be mentioned, that relevant equipment has already been arrived. At this stage, the enterprise needs to obtain permits required by law, before installing the aspiration system. I think, that an enterprise has set reasonable deadlines.
We have once again expressed our readiness to support enterprises in obtaining appropriate permits to the maximum extent possible, and make certain, that exhaust system is securely mounted. Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Supervision continues the inspection process in the usual manner .
In 2021, the respective enterprise was inspected five times and was fined for violating various environmental obligations. The inspection was carried out on January 25, 2022 and the relevant protocol was drawn up.
I would like to point out, that the Department of Environmental Supervision has identified certain shortcomings in all large enterprises across the country and responded accordingly to each of them.
"Both inspection, as well as monitoring campaign enables enterprises to fulfill their obligations in the shortest possible time, which will result into an improved air quality" said the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
According to Mrs. Maia Bitadze, from the second half of the current year, the state will no longer have to impose a fine on the company ‘’ Ltd ‘’Rusalloys", as long as, the implementation of the plan has already begun. Moreover, the respective company will be equipped with a state-of-the-art air filtration and purification system within two or three months, and eventually, the problem will be solved.
"We plan not to leave a single company in Rustavi and in Georgia in general, which are emitting toxic substances in the air and posing a wide range of health hazards. Currently, fines have been imposed on all companies exceeding clean air act emissions limits. This process is still underway, however, each companies should take appropriate measures within a reasonable time frame defined by the state to get desired results ”said Mrs. Maia Bitadze.
The Mayor of Rustavi, Mrs. Nino Latsabidze, noted, that legislative changes, which bring results and improve air quality and environmental condition in the city are very important for the residents of Rustavi.
The monitoring campaign was launched in the companies, due to the delays and missed deadlines in fulfilling the requirements of the law. Relevant agencies will further provide air emission monitoring in the companies. The similar meetings will be held in all companies in the city of Rustavi.