Former Italian Minister Under Investigation by Prosecutors for Solvay Plant License

Former Italian energy transition minister Roberto Cingolani has become the focus of an investigation led by Rome prosecutors, stemming from the renewal of an environmental authorization for the Rosignano Solvay plant on a Tuscan beach in 2022. The investigation was revealed by sources who possess direct knowledge of the matter on Monday. The focus of this investigation lies in the accusations of abuse of office against Cingolani, who assumed the position of CEO at Italy's state-controlled defense and aerospace group, Leonardo, in May.

The impetus for this investigation arose from a lawsuit filed in 2022 by Giuseppe Bivona, activist co-founder of Bluebell Capital Partners, and Elio Lannutti, a former senator associated with the 5-star movement. Their grievance pertains to the perceived extension of authorizations for the chemical plant, which they claim Cingolani sanctioned for an additional five years before their designated expiration.

In the context of environmental regulations, the integrated environmental authorization (AIA) serves as a mechanism to assess the environmental compatibility of various activities. However, a source closely connected to the former minister has clarified that this was not an extension of an existing authorization, but rather the issuance of a new authorization. This procedural step was necessitated by changes that transpired at the Solvay plant operated by the Belgian chemical group.

Solvay's operations on the Tuscan beach, where the plant has been operational for over a century, have garnered scrutiny from multiple quarters. Environmentalists, alongside activist Bluebell and the UN special rapporteur on toxics and human rights, have scrutinized the practices. A 2017 finding by the Institute for Coastal Marine Environment also raised alarms, noting that the discharged materials were posing threats to the seagrass ecosystem.

Of particular concern is Solvay's current practice of releasing 250,000 metric tons of waste into the Mediterranean annually. This practice has brought about visible transformations along the coastline, leading to the moniker "White Beaches," or Spiagge Bianche. Responding to mounting pressure from environmentalists, Solvay revealed plans in September 2022 to reduce industrial waste discharged into the sea, a move aimed at mitigating environmental impact.

In this context, Solvay conveyed intentions to invest approximately 15 million euros ($16.3 million) to curtail the release of limestone residue into the sea from its facility in the coastal village of Rosignano. These efforts are anticipated to achieve a 20% reduction in maximum discharge by 2030, compared to prevailing regulatory thresholds. By 2040, the targeted volume reduction will be set at 40% below the authorities' permissible release limits.

In its annual report for 2021, Solvay indicated the existence of ongoing preliminary investigations before the Criminal Court of Livorno, pertaining to contamination concerns within certain areas surrounding Rosignano. As investigations proceed, the ramifications of this case extend beyond regulatory matters, resonating with the broader discourse on environmental preservation and responsible industrial practices.