„Energy subsidies for coal are being discussed, especially in cities where we have been shown to exceed the fine particulate matter standards.“
This was announced a few days ago by Minister Borislav Sandov from the parliamentary rostrum.
The state cannot be a participant in the process of air pollution and support the burning of coal. But how will people be encouraged to choose alternatives for their heating?
„By transforming social benefits for energy-poor households, because they are not defined correctly“, said Minister Sandov and clarified the understanding of the process as follows:
„Energy aid cannot and will not disappear. There are households in the country that need them. Coal aid must be transformed, for example as part of the electricity bill or the possibility of purchasing another type of biomass that has low levels of fine particulate emissions. At this stage, aid for firewood will also not be eliminated, because in some settlements this would create a problem for people.“
Minister Sandov added:
„We must first define what an energy-poor household is, then stop supplying coal by replacing it with support for part of the electricity bill, for example. In the third stage, we must try to solve the problem of energy poverty not only by co-financing what the household cannot afford. If we added a little more support each year, we could have solved the problem five years ago because we have made this household’s home more energy efficient so that it can cover its winter heating bill at less cost.“
According to Borislav Sandov, „it is important to accept that changes are needed in our way of life, including in the way of heating. And not so much because of the expected negative decision of the European Court of Justice against our country for unfulfilled air quality standards, but because it is more useful for all of us to live in a reliable and clean environment that will make us healthier people.“
