Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić reacted to the statement of the Mayor of Pljevlja Municipality Dario Vraneš regarding the order of the Environmental Inspection to close the boiler house in Skerlićeva Street, saying that it is a facility that does not meet legal requirements and that "pollutes the air of the citizens of Pljevlja".
"Dear and respected citizens of Pljevlja, the boiler house is polluting your air and cannot operate because the mayor has not been able to install two additional filters for more than a year," Ćulafić said in his response.
The minister stressed that he understands citizens' concerns about poor air quality, but stressed that he "cannot and will not allow attacks on environmental inspectors," whom he described as "professional and responsible people who do their job in accordance with the law."
"The issue of environmental protection and citizens' health is too serious to be used for political bickering or covering up inaction," said Ćulafić, adding that the accusations of the Mayor are an attempt to shift responsibility.
He recalled that by the decision of the Environmental Inspection dated December 26, 2024, DOO "Grijanje" was prohibited from carrying out the activity of production and delivery of thermal energy "until the levels of pollutants are reduced to the prescribed limit values", and that the deadline for compliance was extended to May 15, 2025.
"The subject of supervision had several months to seriously understand the situation and eliminate irregularities, but it chose inaction and a negligent attitude towards the problem, and thus towards the health of the people of Pljevlja," the minister stated.
Ćulafić specifically denied claims that the environmental inspection allowed the boiler room to be tested.
"That is not true. The operation was allowed solely for the purpose of conducting emission measurements, in order to verify whether the inspection decision was followed," he said, adding that the measurement results of the Center for Ecotoxicological Testing showed that the permitted values of harmful substances were exceeded.
"That's why the work ban remained in effect," Ćulafić emphasized.
Referring to the comparisons with the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant, the minister stated that urgent emission measurements have been ordered for the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant and that, as in any other case, they will proceed in accordance with the law.
"What insults the intelligence of every reasonable citizen of Pljevlja is the insistence of the Mayor that, in times of severe air pollution, a major polluter be allowed to continue polluting the air," the minister said, asking "whether it is possible to improve the air quality through additional pollution."
Ćulafić concluded that Pljevlja is "most endangered by those who do not act responsibly towards environmental protection", not by institutions that, as he said, "do their job legally, conscientiously and professionally".
He rejected allegations that he does not visit the city, stating that he has visited Pljevlja several times and will continue to do so in the future.
"Regarding my visits to Pljevlja, I have had several so far, and there will be more, so I truly indignantly reject Vranes's drawing of a target in an attempt to animate citizens with the untruths he is spreading to them as an unfinished art," concluded Minister Ćulafić.
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