The company "Grijanje" did not fire up the boilers in the city boiler room on Skerlićeva Street this morning, which left around 400 apartments in the center of Pljevlja without central heating, numerous business premises, as well as several local and state institutions.
As announced, the boilers were shut down by order of the environmental inspection. The decision caused dissatisfaction among some citizens, who announced a protest in front of the boiler house for today at 11:30 am. At 12 noon, the sealing of the boiler house was announced.
The Municipal Board of the Democrats in Pljevlja also made a statement regarding the situation.
The statement states that it is indisputable that the city boiler house, together with the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant and individual combustion plants, are significant air pollutants and that these problems must be urgently addressed.
However, they point out that implementing the solution in conditions of extremely low temperatures could cause great damage to the entire hot water system, not only for DOO "Grijanje", but also for the residents themselves. They warn that there is a high probability of primary and secondary hot water pipes bursting, and that citizens, especially during the holidays, would be left without heating, which could have negative health consequences.
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Therefore, the Democrats believe that postponing the execution of the decision is a compromise and reasonable solution in the given circumstances. They cite Article 41 of the Law on Inspection Supervision as the legal basis, which allows for postponing the execution of the decision if its implementation would cause damage to the subject of supervision and if this does not endanger the public interest.
The statement added that DOO "Grijanje" performs an activity of public interest and that a sudden shutdown of the boiler room would cause unforeseeable consequences. Although, as they state, it is not disputed that the boiler room is a polluter, its elimination must be gradual, not sudden. They particularly emphasize that in the heating season 2026/2027. the boiler room should not operate without meeting strict technical standards and significant investments in equipment.
The Democrats announce that they will request that funds be allocated from the municipal budget for additional technical equipment, with the expectation that the state will fulfill its part of the obligations in the district heating project. They remind that EPCG has already implemented the first phase of the project, and that it is necessary for the municipality to use 2026 for the urgent expansion of the secondary network, from design to execution of works.
"The interest must be – both a warm and clean Pljevlja. Not just one, but both together," said the Municipal Board of the Democrats of Pljevlja.
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