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The proposed project will result in significant environmental benefits. Most of the investments are targeting better efficiency and further reduction of environmental impacts. Since 1984 Huta Ostrowiec (HO) has been implementing various environmental, health and safety improvement measures, as a result of which the facilities are currently in full compliance with all relevant Polish environmental standards. HO had been awarded ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates and a "Cleaner Production Certificate". All these certificates have been formally transferred to CHO. The Company is in its final stages to obtain also an international health and safety certification. As part of the first project supported by EBRD in 1997, HO developed an Environmental Action Programme (EAP). The key components of the EAP included: (i) installation of the secondary dust extraction systems for two older electric arc furnaces; (ii) construction of a waste water treatment plant; and (iii) continuous monitoring of groundwater quality. The EAP has been fully implemented.
The environmental due diligence on the current project did not identify any significant issues associated with CHO’s facilities. CHO has all relevant environmental permits and fully complies with the provisions of these permits. All the permits, originally issued for HO, have been formally transferred to CHO. The due diligence confirmed that the new electric arc furnace to be moved from Celsa’s plant in Barcelona will meet the provisions under the EU IPPC Directive. CHO is also committed that the overall modernisation programme, which will initially focus on further environmental improvements, will meet all relevant Polish and EU environmental standards. Current monitoring of ambient air quality shows that key air quality indicators are well below Polish and EU permissible standards.
The proposed project offers significant opportunities for upgrading the existing facilities with more energy efficient equipment allowing for compliance with EU environmental standards.
The proposed project will result in significant environmental benefits. Most of the investments are targeting better efficiency and further reduction of environmental impacts. The EAP for HO agreed with EBRD in 1997 has been fully implemented. For the above reasons, there is no need for a stand-alone environmental action plan for this project.
HO will monitor the environmental impact of the project and its operations in accordance with the environmental law of Poland and with its agreements with the Bank. HO will provide an annual environmental and health and safety report to the EBRD as well as notify the EBRD on any changes, incidents and accidents that may have material effect on the environment or safety. The EBRD will also be provided with the results of completion tests to confirm that the modernised facilities meet Polish and EU environmental standards.
Environmental information on the project is being released in accordance with EBRD’s public information procedures for B-category projects.
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