Protection of Natural Environment

Before the launch of the project, EuRoPol GAZ s.a., basing on the Law on Spatial Management, conducted a comprehensive assessment of the gas pipeline system’s effects on the environment. Positive conclusions of this assessment allowed for issuing the preliminary route approval by the Central Planning Board for the whole design route of the pipeline. The marked out route of the pipeline is has been optimised in terms of minimisation of its effects on the environment as it omits most of natural valuable areas (national parks, nature reserves).

Within the European Union’s PHARE III programme, a project entitled „The Study of Environment Protection in Connection with Construction of the Polish Stretch of the Russia-Europe Gas Pipeline” has been implemented. The project was aimed at developing practical recommendations concerning preventive and protective actions that should be taken in order to minimise harmful effects connected with construction and operation of the gas pipeline.The pipeline has been built according to these recommendations. The pipeline poses no threat to purity of either surficial or subterranean waters. Water used for the hydrostatic tests of the pipeline wass treated before draining it to water courses or bodies.

Use of natural gas as an energy carrier is very advantageous to natural environment because of reduction of emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Natural gas combustion does not produce smoke, soot and ash. Stringent environmental protection standards and economic calculation have resulted in the fact that use of natural gas became one of technology progress enablers. Thus no wonder that consumption of natural gas in the world is growing faster than other energy carriers.