Stara Zagora's Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters (RIEW) has fined each of the three thermal power plants (TPPs) in the Maritsa East complex with 120 000 leva for pollution, the highest amount it is allowed to impose.

The fines were imposed after the TPPs dumped too much sulphur dioxide, exceeding the maximum allowed quantity in the air over the town of Gulubovo nine-fold on Febrary 6-7 2008, Penka Nacheva, head of RIEW Stara Zagora, said.

According to Nacheva, it was hard to find out the amount of pollution each plant caused. Thus the three TPPs would be fined 120 000 leva each for violation of their complex operation permits and RIEW’s instructions.

After consultations with Environment and Water Affairs Ministry and minister Djevdet Chakurov, RIEW Stara Zagora had instructed Maritsa East complex to decrease its capacity.

The directors of the three TPPs have to sign the sanctions by February 12 2008, or they would be forced to pay the fines by court order.