European environmentalists: Kosovo coal is poisoning our lungs.

Environmentalists urged EU policymakers to take a tougher stance on air pollution from coal thermal power plants in the Western Balkans.

Because of pollution, the death toll has gone to Europe to 3,900 persons a year. 16 industrial areas built in the time of communism have a capacity of 8 gigawatts (Gw). Thermorals emit the same amount of sulfur dioxide as in 2016, broadcast Albania.

“Linjiti, the most polluting coal, is widely available in the region, ensuring a free source of energy and simultaneously are the main energy source for Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia and Montenegro. The countries are members of the Energy Community, which had a commitment to implement EU regulations to curb pollution by 2018. But investments in new thermal power plants or in technology to reduce emissions are largely delayed”, the report said.

“The air plan knows no borders and is still an invisible killer in Europe”, said Vlatko Matkovic Puljic, senior health and energy official. She's also the lead author of the report.

“It is time for EU policymakers to step up air cleaning efforts and defuelisation of the energy sector”, she said. /Periscopi/