Some problematic EIA projects could be given fast track assessments says minister

Around 10-15 Czech construction projects could be given a fast track procedure to help them get started earlier in the face of European Commission misgivings about past Environment Impact Assessments, environment minister Richard Brabec. The problem of dozens of projects for which Brussels wants new assessments to be carried out to replace some undertaken up to two decades ago was addressed at a ministerial EU meeting Friday. Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka warned in February that the Czech Republic could lose out on up to 90 billion crowns in funding if the problematic projects are delayed for a long time.