It was described as an unfair and unnecessary judgment. The hearing was postponed, and changes in authorities led to a decision that critics say should not have happened. Anna Zalewska, a member of the European Parliament, stated in an interview with wPolityce.pl that the court’s move allows Turów to operate for another two years.
The Provincial Administrative Court in Warsaw canceled the environmental decision issued by the General Director for Environmental Protection regarding continuing coal mining at the Turów mine. Critics warn this could threaten Poland’s energy security. Judge Jarosław Łuczaj of the Provincial Administrative Court noted that the ruling does not suspend operations or close the mine. Zalewska later described the WSA translations as a delusion and reminded wPolityce.pl that the Turów mine could keep running for up to two more years under the current interpretation.
This development was seen as a poor signal for Turów employees and Bogatynia residents. Soon after the verdict, many people rang the phones in fear, worrying about a false sense of security until 2044 and about working in what some viewed as the safest, most affordable and most ecological mine in Europe. Turów has asserted that it meets EU standards.
— Zalewska, a PiS representative, underscored this point.
READ ALSO: The Provincial Administrative Court’s annulment of the Directorate General for Environmental Protection’s decision on continuing coal mining at Turów
Two more years of mining?
The former education minister criticized the perceived hypocrisy of the judge’s translations. He pointed out that the annulled decision formed the basis for permits through 2044. Currently, Turów is working on a legal workaround that would authorize operation until 2026. What does this mean for workers and residents? The mine could close in 2026. It may feel like a distant milestone, but in the energy sector it is just around the corner.
— Zalewska added that neither workers, Bogatynia residents, nor PiS officials will back down in Turów matters.
There is growing agitation. There are high expectations for Donald Tusk, who might downplay the courts’ role and emphasize leaving decisions to the judiciary. In this context, questions may be directed to the Climate Minister, though expectations for her are tempered by associations with Szymon Hołownia. Hołownia once joined the Turów protests and urged immediate action based on a Court of Justice ruling to close the mine. A plan for further steps to defend Turów would likely be sent to the President of PGE and the General Director of Environmental Protection. Meanwhile, the current team is preparing to reassign staff and consider filing a cassation against the judgment. The written reasoning is still awaited, and every day matters.
— a PiS politician commented, warning that Poland could face serious energy issues if the mine is actually forced to close.
The judgment was described as unfair and unnecessary. The court postponed the hearing, and the subsequent decision was presented after changes in authorities. Critics argued this sets a troubling precedent for Poland’s energy security. In a European context, the Green Deal environment is intensifying, while farmers express concerns about the impact of related regulations, framing them as a financial maneuver rather than a genuine environmental plan.
— Zalewska summarized the situation.
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– OUR SUBJECT. The judge who wants to block Turów investment is described as an activist from a politicized association
— Poland has implemented the Turów Agreement, and the Czech Environment Minister acknowledged that the retaining wall at the Polish mine remains in operation
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Source: wPolityce