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Green light for SSF at the Vernasca plant
05 February 2021

Green light for SSF at the Vernasca plant

On 7 January 2021, the TAR (regional administrative court) of Lazio rejected an appeal lodged by the Val d’Arda council against measures that would authorize the use of SSF (secondary solid fuel) at the Vernasca cement plant, as well as against the Ministerial Decree (DM 22/2013 – Clini Decree), which defines the conditions for using SSF in cement plants and thermoelectric power stations.

The TAR of Lazio also clarifies that the company has completed all the administrative procedures correctly and has obtained all the necessary legal permits for using SSF (Environmental Impact Assessment and the Integrated Environmental Authorization amendment).

The ruling reinforces the direction taken by Buzzi Unicem, which has been investing in innovative technology for years to expedite the decarbonization process and thereby support a circular economy model by reducing its reliance on non-renewable fossil resources. The use of SSF is therefore in line with European policies for creating and advancing a circular economy, in full compliance with the European waste hierarchy.

The ruling also clarifies the precautionary principle, which is often invoked inappropriately to block rigorous and comprehensive administrative procedures based merely on fear, albeit a valid concern. The apprehensions of councils and stakeholders deserve to be heard and answered openly and transparently by bringing to the discussion scientific knowledge, statistical data and emissions measurements, as well as academic corroboration – all of which were produced in the case in question and which received prompt feedback. The judges clarify that preventing the realization of a project based on the precautionary principle implies that there is actual scientific uncertainty about its consequences which, in the case reviewed, does not exist.

This ruling signifies an incontrovertible clarification that is of nationwide interest.