Opposition against the project continues to growSanta Palomba incinerator, the scope of which many became aware of with some clarity during Sunday evening's episode of “Report“. The 5 Star Movement and the Progressive Pole, through the group leaders Adriano Zuccalà (M5S), Valerio Novelli (M5S) and Alessandra Zeppieri (Progressive Pole), have presented a motion in the Lazio Region asking for clear and decisive interventions to safeguard the environment and health of citizens.
The heart of the motion revolves around two main proposals:
- Establish an Environmental Protection Area around the Laurentino well field, as required by regional law no. 13 of 2019, to protect the territory from negative impacts related to pollution.
- Accept the resolution of the Albano Laziale Municipal Council of December 2023, which requires the classification of the Roncigliano landfill site as an area at high risk of environmental crisis.
- The promoters of the motion also ask the President of the Region, Francesco Rocca, to start a dialogue with the national government to review the powers attributed to the Extraordinary Commissioner for the Jubilee, Roberto Gualtieri, in matters of waste management.
According to the signatories, the incinerator would represent a “condemnation” for the Lazio region, for various reasons:
- Environmental and health impact: the plant, once operational, would burn 600 thousand tons of waste per year for 33 years, with serious repercussions on the territory and on the health of citizens.
- Incongruent timing: the incinerator would only come into operation once the Jubilee is over, making its construction superfluous for the religious event.
- Confirmation of the inconsistencies: the investigation by the television program Report and the opening of an investigation at the Ecomafie parliamentary commission have strengthened concerns about the project.
An uncertain future for Santa Palomba
“The Lazio Region can no longer ignore the critical issues of this project – say Zuccalà, Novelli and Zeppieri. – President Rocca has the authority and duty to intervene to stop the construction process of the plant. Gualtieri's commissioner powers do not represent an insurmountable obstacle. It is necessary to demonstrate political courage to protect the environment and the future of the region”.
The battle against the Santa Palomba incinerator represents a crucial issue for waste management in Lazio. On the one hand, there is pressure to find quick and efficient solutions to dispose of waste; on the other, the need to preserve a territory already suffering from years of environmental criticality. The motion presented in the Lazio Region marks a new chapter in the matter, with the hope that regional and national institutions will respond to the concerns raised by local communities and their representatives.
