As promised I'm back here also the month of August, to be honest I promised that I would stress the holidays with only trivial stories summer, a little 'in the style of local newspapers say. However, I happened to notice anything but a slight, although it deviates from that theme lighting, fits the general theme of energy saving and environmental protection that underlies any topic and have decided on Luxemozione to deepen and expose you.
Again, despite the fine proposed last G8 in terms of protecting the environment, do we risk yet another disgrace. While the world is squeezing your brains looking for alternatives for energy production in order to reduce environmental impacts and preserve the natural beauty, here in Italy, as usual, we gloated with amenities that we have and then relentlessly strive in every way to destroy them. Striking example is what is happening in Park Curone , the only real "green lung" that there now remained north of Milan, which unfortunately is likely to be transformed into a new petrochemical research center, with the consequences of this installation usually carries: the total destruction of the ecosystem!
To better understand the story I decided to interview David Maggioni, mayor of Sirtori, located in the heart of Park Curone. Let 's see what he told me.
G (Jacomo) Hello David, then you are mayor of a town that is situated in Park Curone explain a bit 'what's going on?
D (avid) Hello James. It happens that the Po Valley, an Australian company, has submitted a request to the competent ministry for the purpose of drilling the Regional Park and the Valley of Montevecchia Curone - http://www.parcocurone.it - exploration of hydrocarbons: oil and gas . The park of regional significance, has a thirty year history and the inside contains a GIF, Site of Community Interest, an area that is particularly valuable and intact to be considered of interest also from the European Union. And 'the only green space left in the north of Milan, the first of the Alps, half that many people seek contact with nature.
G. What is happening today is nothing new, You said that for years the Park is subject to the attention of groups petrochemical ...
Q. Yes, this issue has already been presented several times in past years, both in the park and in neighboring areas, by AGIP, which is in the 90s at the beginning of this century have attempted to obtain permission on exploration of hydrocarbons in the area. In the past, the reactions of individuals and labor unions have averted the danger.
G. So today there is a new company interested to undertake research within the Park Curone more impetus to what happened until now why?
Q. Today it is the Po Valley, with partner Edison. In 2008 he made application to search for hydrocarbons in an area called "Ossola, which ranged from Varese to Milan in Bergamo, a vast area. Respondents with a service conference in Rome, Milan and a subsequent, local authorities led by the Province of Lecco expressed their deep concerns over the inability to assess instance very vague on such a large area.
Two days after the end of that instance of the Po Valley has submitted an application to extend considerably reducing the search area: the new plan, called "Bernaga" includes mainly the Park. Minister of Productive Activities Scajola granted an extension of 16 months: this happened in early April. Of these events, the Park and the municipalities were aware only after it occurred.
The problem is that in the Decree on development, one that contains the rules to restart the nuclear program in Italy, we have included articles stating that the production of hydrocarbons of strategic importance to the nation, eliminating the powers of local authorities, only The region is called to speak with an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and all skills become ministerial. This legislation was turned into law by Parliament last July.
G. But explain a bit 'what should be the side effects of a petrochemical settlement inside the Park.
D. The effects could be enormous, and mostly negative. I state that the area in question is a small green spot surrounded by a consolidated urban and densely populated. Very briefly: drilling (6000 m talking about!) Require the placing of substances in the soil protected by trade secret drills that help the work of compacting the layers. These highly polluting substances remain in soil for decades then going to finish even in aquifers. In areas that already host plants of this type there was an increase in the development of rare diseases and cancer.
During the excavation may also be leakage of the various gases in the subsurface, with dangerous consequences for the inhabitants. It is estimated that the pollution could spread in a radius of 20 km from the well. Or rather, from every well, because the exploitation of the deposits could be different. The transportation of oil, probably with tankers, further congesting traffic, thereby also increasing air pollution.
The park has rediscovered agriculture for years: today there are over one hundred farms working on quality wine has recently received the mark IGT. All this would disappear.
From an economic point of view is evaluated for twenty years, an increase in jobs as truck drivers, a decrease in gas bill of around 3% (€ 15.00 to € 500.00 per year on costs ) and for municipal revenue of about € 9.00 to inhabitant. In all, not a year! In exchange, the value of the property will decrease by 20%.
G. How are you trying to counter this initiative?
Q. My City is part of the park and was immediately instructed the President to do everything possible to oppose this initiative. Similarly, the Juntas and the municipalities and the province have spoken with the resolutions adopted unanimously opposed to this hypothesis. But the most important thing is that it arose a spontaneous committee of citizens called "No to the oil well in the Park Curone - http://www.noalpozzo.org - who briefed and sensitized the population on this issue . It 'was held on a Sunday afternoon in the park where they were symbolically planted two mulberry trees where drilling should arise: there were 26 mayors, MPs of the area, but above all, more than 2000 people!
There is an ongoing petition that has exceeded the 30,000 signatures!
G. Then the twist ...
Q. Yes, unexpectedly July 30 Po Valley wrote to the Ministry to waive the instance saying Ossola and Bernaga
The official justification signed by Michael Masterman, CEO of the Po Valley, said the opposition of the local population would have affected the practice of EIA ...
In fact, many are not convinced of the reasoning, and expect for the near future a new episode of the story ... do not ever want that what we managed to avoid being reintroduced in the park just outside its borders! Especially now that most of the powers are ministerial.
G. It is certain that in a period of strong research in alternative energy what is happening to you today can hardly be considered a step forward. What do you think?
Q. This is just one of the emerging issues. Italy has always been in deficit for energy demand and now it is time to start thinking and investing in a definitive manner to the renewables. It 'a decisive step, because if we begin to use properly and structurally the wind and the sun kissing our nation, in a few years our energy balance will not be so passive. And also a way of promoting lifestyles "sustainable" even among the people and for future generations.
G. Want more?
Q. Just two more riflessioni.La first is that the constitutional jurisdiction is restricted to urban municipalities: we think of Paini regulators. It 'just that the State may, for national interest, concentrate in his hands more strategic choices, but do not consider it fair that in this case, do so knowing the choices of plans taken forward by the various municipalities in the last 30 years: Park, though born "from below" us some time to be seen by people as a resource and not as an additional constraint that today also starts to be economically sustainable. In addition to manufacturers in the park is held annually at the end of a summer theater festival, " last summer moon , "which draws many people in the territory each year.
The second is that if we see a positive from this incident, we could say that the Park Curone through this ugly history, has gained greater importance in the eyes of the population, which at times gave it almost for granted, not realizing its beauty.
Thanks for your attention and congratulations for your interesting blog!
G. Thank you and we hope that this waiver to proceed with research in the park no more hidden dangers.
Hello everyone, stay tuned!
4. August 2009 at 15:54
The important thing is that the petrochemical plant is illuminated with the apparatus having a maximum 0.49cd/klm gamma90 ° and beyond ...
4. August 2009 at 23:26
It is precisely
... But nothing you vacation?