Altri, the Portuguese multinational which, in partnership with a Galician company, plans to install a macro-cellulose factory in Palas de Rei (A Ulloa, Lugo), remains silent on the loss of enthusiasm of the Xunta to support the initiative. Asked by elDiario.es about the statements of the Galician president, Alfonso Rueda, in which he assured that the idea of the factory is now “even secondary” for his government, the company refused to comment. Rueda continues to distance herself from Altri’s projects, which she enthusiastically supported a few months ago.
The Galician Government has not yet made public the integrated environmental authorization – the next step in the environmental impact statement, granted in March – and Rueda spoke on Tuesday of the delay in processing because “a lot has happened”. “It is entirely in compliance with the regulations,” he maintained, but it has become “something even secondary.” These “many things” were the refusal of European funds for the project and being excluded from state electricity planning. In addition, massive demonstrations against this project took place in Palas de Rei, Santiago de Compostela or – on boats – in the Arousa estuary and social unrest was significant.
The president of the Xunta assured, in any case, that “all environmental procedures” were respected, even if he added “as long as the company continues to have an interest”. When questioned by this newspaper, Altri avoided commenting.
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