2024-04-10 16:34:42
The deadlines for ruling on eco-assessments are halved, and their validity is increased from 5 to 15 years.
Eco-assessments can only be appealed once so as not to delay major projects. This is what deputies from GERB and DPS, led by Delyan Dobrev and Stanislav Anastasov, propose with changes to the Investment Promotion Act. Decisions of the trial court shall not be subject to appeal.
Thus, in practice, the possibility of environmental non-governmental organizations to delay the procedures of the objects of national importance is put to an end.
This applies to the construction of highways, tunnels, bridges, railways, new nuclear units, as well as projects related to national security,
With the changes in the law, the deputies propose to shorten the time limits for issuing the assessments – thus, in the case of priority investment projects of national or regional importance, the time for approval is cut in half. The same goes for pronouncing or expressing opinions. The validity of a prepared eco-assessment is increased from 5 to 15 years.
In their reasons, the deputies explicitly state that the shorter terms do not apply to the wide range of cases, but only to those related to the implementation of objects of national importance, because they are of public benefit and any delay in them would have a negative impact.
The need to shorten the terms of administrative and judicial proceedings also came from the need to take urgent measures to reduce energy dependence on Russia.
The deputies also point out that the timely implementation of the two new reactors at the site in Kozloduy, as well as the second bridge near Ruse, are of strategic importance.