The senator Ernesto Rapani He firmly requested the suspension of the effectiveness of the provision approved by the Calabria Regional Council, which requires the reduction of the power of the Mercure biomass plant. “It is necessary to wait for the pronouncement of the Constitutional Court before adopting measures that could seriously compromise the local economy and put hundreds of jobs at risk,” said the senator. The Mercure plant represents a fundamental resource for the territory. Among direct and induced employees, about 1500 work units involved in the production process. Its operation is guaranteed by a memorandum of understanding signed by the Company, Municipalities, Regions Calabria and Basilicata, and trade union organizations, aimed at encouraging the participation of local SMEs and consortia.
“The Meloni government did well to challenge the rule contained in the Omnibus law, considering it in contrast to the state and European legislation. The provision, observes Rapani, violates the fundamental principles of law, introducing improper retroactivity that regulates a structure already built and authorized, actually subjecting the tax authorities in terms of compensation. Rapani has underlined the inadequacy of a measure that does not regulate the present or the future, but claims to retroactively resize an already fully operational system. “It is unthinkable to adopt an approach that puts a model of sustainable and consolidated development at risk, especially in a region already afflicted by high unemployment rates,” he added. According to the senator, the provision would inevitably entail a millionaire compensation by the Region towards the company that manages the plant (Sorgenia), with devastating consequences for public finances. “We cannot afford to sacrifice an infrastructure that contributes significantly to the energy transition and the development of local businesses,” said Rapani. The system, which uses biomass for the production of clean energy, is part of a national strategy to make southern Italy an energy hub of strategic importance. Cenalizing it, according to Rapani, would mean not only betray this vision, but also compromising the creation of new jobs and support for the SMEs of the territory just as the Meloni government continues to launch measures in favor of South companies.
The senator therefore asked the Regional Council to stop and reflect: “A decision of this magnitude cannot be taken without a serious study and without waiting for the opinion of the Constitutional Court. It serves responsibility to avoid bringing the economy of an entire area into its knees. ” “If the Court is wrong to the Calabria Region, Sorgenia could start a judgment for compensation for damages, a more than plausible hypothesis,” warns the senator. Responding to the hypotheses of internal divisions of the center -right on the management of the case, Rapani denies any rift. “In the face of a legislative provision there can be no type of division. The center -right has shown compactness in the regional council by approving the majority of majority without problems, “he says. However, the senator recognizes that the critical issues emerged subsequently require careful reflection by the institutions. “Today, in the face of the problems highlighted, it is normal to adjust accordingly and take note of it”, concludes Rapani, hoping for a responsible and shared management of the story. The request to the President of the Calabria Region is clear: preventing the risk of an onerous dispute, which could have heavy economic consequences for the regional budget.