City of Skopje schedules public debate on air-quality plan; Stop za Usje warns of new protests
Public consultation will present pollution sources and measures; activists warn of protests if the Usje cement permit fails to meet standards.
The City of Skopje has scheduled a public debate on the Air Quality Improvement Plan for the Skopje region, beginning with a presentation that maps pollution sources and outlines proposed measures to reduce emissions.
Representatives from municipal institutions, environmental experts, civic groups and ordinary citizens will be able to submit comments and propose changes during the consultation process.
Possible protests if permit falls short
Activists expect that a draft operating permit for the Usje cement plant will be issued this month. The civic initiative Stop za Usje says that if the draft permit is not prepared in accordance with environmental standards, it will launch a series of actions, including new protests.
City officials have not announced a final timeline for adopting the plan or for responding to submissions received during the public debate. The consultation is presented as the next formal step in addressing air-pollution sources across the region.
Environmental groups monitoring the process say they will review technical measures proposed in the plan and the conditions of any permit for large industrial emitters closely, calling for transparency and strict enforcement.
Photo: press material from the event
