Sparks flew between the Italian
government and local and regional authorities in Puglia on
Wednesday after the latter challenged a decree modifying the
environmental cleanup plan for the troubled ILVA steel plant in
Taranto.
Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti expressed his
surprise at the move, saying the new industrial plan for
Europe's largest steelworks is strong and that the environmental
plan is the best that has ever been seen.
Economic Development Minister Carlo Calenda accused the local
and regional authorities of schizophrenic management and said
the deal on ILVA involving sale to a consortium led by
ArcelorMittal and the associated environmental clean-up risked
falling apart.
"Enough of stealing our children's future, blackmail doesn't
frighten us," replied Taranto mayor Rinaldo Melucci in reference
to the ongoing health risk posed by the plant.
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