Czech Environment Minister Jan Dusík resigns

Czech Environment Minister Jan Dusík stepped down on Thursday over a conflict with the energy giant ČEZ. The Environment Ministry was due to issue an environmental impact assessment concerning the modernisation of the ČEZ-run coal power plant Prunéřov. However, a study commissioned by the ministry and released on Thursday showed that ČEZ was not going to use the best available technology. Mr Dusík told a news conference that his ministry refused to issue the permits, and was going to ask the energy producer to review the project. But Prime Minister Jan Fischer told him to allow ČEZ to go ahead with the existing project. Minister Jan Dusík, who was nominated for the post by the Greens, then decided to step down.