Particle Pollution Control to Be Enhanced through Operational Programme "Environment"

Sofia, June 17 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Operational Programme
"Environment 2014-2020," which has just been approved by the
European Commission, will support, among other activities, the
control exercised by municipalities over air pollution caused by
 the use of solid fuel for household heating, Environment and
Water Minister Ivelina Vassileva said during a national
environmental protection conference on June 16.

Pollution with particulate matter of up to 10 micrometres in
diameter is a major environmental problem for Bulgaria, caused
primarily by the use of solid and substandard fuel for household
 heating, which accounts for 59 per cent of this type of
pollution, and also by the transport system.

The European Commission has opened an infringement procedure
against Bulgaria for breach of particulate matter standards in
nearly 30 towns. The procedure has reached the pre-court phase
of a reasoned opinion by the European Commission, Vassileva
said. As far as transport is concerned, the use of the metro
underground railway in Sofia and the operation of 124 modern
buses in the city has had an enormous positive effect on air
quality.

Operational Programme "Environment 2014-2020" has 120 million
leva to finance measures to reduce noxious gases released by
vehicles and household heating systems, Vassileva said. The
money is far from enough, but it will help municipalities to
plan and implement air quality measures, she said.

The aid will go towards encouraging the use of eco fuel,
equipping vehicles with exhaust gas filters, putting filters on
chimneys, and switching to other modes of heating.

Government ministries have put together two working groups which
 will look for ways to reduce particle pollution.

An Environment and Water Ministry study shows that coal
extracted in Bulgaria is half the energy value of Ukrainian
coal, but it is also half the price, said Ivan Angelov, head of
the Ambient Air Quality Control Department at the Environment
and Water Ministry. Angelov said it is possible to require users
 to mix Bulgarian coal with imported coal.

Vassileva's ministry has drafted a bill to amend the Clean
Ambient Air Act aiming to tighten control over the
implementation of municipal air quality measures. The bill has
gone through a public discussion procedure and will be submitted
 to the Council of Ministers next week.

Sofia's Deputy Mayor Maria Boyadjiiska admitted that the burning
 of illegal waste by socially disadvantaged people and minority
members presents a problem as it adds to air pollution. The goal
 is to switch from fuel-oil and coal to eco-briquettes which
Sofia Municipality produces from harvested timber, Boyadjiiska
said.