Exploration and prospecting for hydrocarbons, off Aljezur, will not proceed until the conclusion, disclosure and public discussion of the environmental impact assessment, if it comes to exist. The guarantee was given by the Ministry of Economy's office, this Monday, in response to questions from MPs Paulo Sá and João Ramos, from the PCP.
In the Government's clarification, Manuel Caldeira Cabral's office guarantees that the executive «has guided all its actions in strict compliance with the law and recommendations of the Assembly of the Republic, including the Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic No. 30/2018, which recommends the Government to suspend exploration and prospecting activities for hydrocarbons in the deep-offshore of the Alentejo basin, off Aljezur, until the conclusion, dissemination and public discussion of environmental impact assessments and other economic activities».
The Government also guarantees that the decision to extend the period for prospecting and research complied with the law regarding the prior consultation of municipalities, whose contributions, "although not binding, were very important, particularly with regard to environmental issues."
The Ministry of Economy's office explains that the Government “decided to grant the extension of the request, making its effects conditional on the suspension of exploration and prospecting activities for hydrocarbons in the deep offshore from the Alentejo basin, off Aljezur, until the verification of the condition of completion of the applicable procedures provided for in the environmental impact legal regime, which procedure is still ongoing with the competent Environmental Authority».
It remains to be seen whether or not there will be an environmental impact assessment. The decision on the need for this instrument has not yet been taken by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the process is only at this stage. The decision on the need for EIA or not, to which the Sul Informação found that it will be taken on a "case by case" basis for each of the concessions.
A source from the citizens' movement “Stop Petróleo Vila do Bispo” clarified that “we continue to pressure the APA precisely not to exempt these concessions from the AIA, as the contracts have been renewed. At the same time we continue to want these contracts to be cancelled».
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