EIA and AIA Authorizations - Integration at regional level City of Rome

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Sector study - Integrated process of EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and AIA (Integrated Environmental Authorization) procedures - "An integrated model for the regional level"

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Italian Ministry of Environment and Territory with its subsidiary company Sogesid launched a Sector Study regarding the theme of “Integrated process of EIA and AIA procedures”, within the context of 2007/2013 PON GAS project. The aim of the study is to define a methodological process involving the integration of the two procedures as a result of the implementation of innovative criteria and scientific investigation.

In particular the Sector Study focuses on the regional processes in response to a necessity expressed by the following regions: Campania, Calabria, Puglia and Sicily, and takes into account the differences between the regional (or provincial) and national levels.

The coordination and simplification of the two procedures (EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment and AIA - Integrated Environmental Authorization) avoids the risk of duplicating the processes and permits to speed up the time necessary for a work authorization. The necessity of an integration of EIA and AIA is also expressed by article 10 of Legislative Decree no. 152/2006.

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS

The study is divided into two sections, one dedicated to information gathering and the other focused on defining the new guidelines.

In the first part, the European and National frameworks are taken into account when analyzing the regional requirements, in particular the following themes were examined:

  • the regional legislation regarding EIA and AIA (Integrated Environmental Authorization), the identification of the Competent Authorities, the coordination means and mechanisms of both procedures and the definition of major changes;
  • the case law concerning EIA and AIA procedures;
  • in-depth analysis regarding Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Puglia Regions aimed at understanding the actual operating conditions.

During the second and proactive part, a series of proposals were presented and analyzed. These suggestions were designed to provide better solutions for what regards the activities, the time and the procedural costs.