Ministry of Environment seeks EIA requirement for construction of all types of HPPs

13:24, 8 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Changes are expected in the field of regulating environmental impact and expertise. The Ministry of Environment put into circulation a bill on amending the law on environmental impact assessment and expertise (EIA).

The Deputy Minister of Environment Gayane Gabrielyan described the bill as “stricter and simplified”.

“We’ve expanded the sectors which must undergo an environmental impact assessment and expertise process. For example the HPPs [hydro-power plants]. If it is exceeding 1 MW power, then the active legislation envisages EIA. The new changes will require EIA for the construction of all types of HPPs. This is very important, because today as a result of the exploitation of HPPs we have a very bad situation in rivers,” Gabrielyan said.

It also envisages new liability measures for failure to comply with regulations or violations.

The bill is expected to enter parliament for debates during the autumn sessions.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS