Poland expects support from Germany regarding concerns about Schwedt refinery
Poland's climate minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska met with her German counterpart Carsten Schneider and expressed the expectation of support from the federal government regarding the Schwedt refinery, Poland's Ministry of Climate and Environment (MKiS) reported. Poland is demanding an explanation from the Brandenburg state government for its failure to take into account the concerns of Polish local authorities about increased sulphur dioxide emissions from the refinery.
In a press release on Friday, the climate ministry said that Hennig-Kloska met with her German counterpart on Thursday and the topic of the Schwedt refinery near the Polish border was raised.
"The minister also expressed her expectation of support from the federal government regarding the Schwedt refinery. This is a topic of particular importance for the residents and local authorities in the areas where the Lower Oder Valley National Park is planned to be established," MKIS wrote.
"According to the Polish side, the territory of our country may be exposed to increased negative impacts from the refinery. The ministry demands an explanation from the Brandenburg state government for its failure to consider the concerns about increased sulphur dioxide emissions from the refinery expressed by Polish local authorities," it added.
Poland's climate minister believes that the Polish side should be given current and direct access to the results of air quality measurements in Schwedt to monitor the impact of the plant on air quality.
"The German side has declared its cooperation with the Polish administration on this issue," MKiS pointed out.
It added that another important point of the meeting was also the issue of the planned construction of the Tantow wind farm (Germany), close to areas of natural value on both sides of the border.
"The Polish side reiterated its appeal to resign from most controversial elements of the investment due to potential environmental risks," the climate ministry stated.
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