European Comission sent Poland to the Court because of mining drilling
Poland will be on Court because of failing to ensure the proper assessment of exploratory mining drillings. The drillings were done according to the Polish law which establishes that there is no need for an environmental impact assessment when drilling down depths of 5000 meters. Under EU rules, however, assessing the risks to water, air quality and biodiversity are required when drilling to a depth of more than 1,000m in the shale and mining sector.
Nevertheless, the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU) refers that for that depth and type of project, the environmental impacts should have been assessed. The Commission said in a statement that “The high threshold introduced under Polish law does not take into account all relevant criteria and standards,”. This case is particularly important because of the waste drillings produce, their effects on water and soil, use of natural resources, the risk of accidents, and any cumulative effects they may have with other similar projects or activities.
The EU Directive‘s aim is to ensure that projects which are likely to have a significant effect on the environment are adequately assessed before they are approved in order that the impacts are identified and minimize the effects of certain projects.
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