MOSCOW, December 12 (Itar-Tass) —— Gazprom declared 2013 Year of Ecology.
The issue was discussed at a meeting chaired by Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller on Wednesday, December 12, where a respective action plan was approved.
Taking part in the meeting were Amirkhan Amirkhanov, Acting Head of the Federal Supervisory Natural Resources Management Service, Nikolai Kasimov, First Vice President of the Russian Geographical Society and heads of Gazprom's subsidiaries and structural units.
“We declare 2013 Year of Ecology in Gazprom. The Company will run more than 1,200 events: from introducing innovative technologies at gas production and transmission facilities for mitigating environmental impacts to educational campaigns and rendering support to specially protected natural areas. At least 5.5 billion roubles will be allocated for these purposes,” Miller said.
The majority of events in the frame of the Year of Ecology are connected to the introduction of breakthrough technologies enabling to mitigate environmental impacts. They include the conversion of about a thousand vehicles belonging to subsidiary companies to gas, the application of mobile compressor stations in gas trunk lines overhaul, the installation of solar cells at gas production and transmission facilities to obtain electricity for own needs.
The 2013 Blue Corridor motor rally will be held with the support of foreign partners to popularise natural gas as the most environmentally friendly and economically attractive motor fuel.
As part of the Year of Ecology, Gazprom is planning to run educational and ecological campaigns across Russia. They will be organized by Gazprom and its subsidiary companies both independently and together with public and environmental organisations.
For instance, in 2013 familiarisation tours to Gazprom’s production facilities in Sakhalin, the Astrakhan Region and other areas will be held for media representatives, environmental organizations and general public. Gazprom Transgaz Moscow will hold an open day for the ecology students of Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas with a visit to the Volokolamskaya compressor station, as well as numerous ecological workshops, open lessons and children's drawing contests.
It is planned to plant more than 100 thousand trees, clear out and improve more than 2 thousand hectares of coastal areas, forest and urban territories, rehabilitate over 30 lakes, rivers and springs, render support to at least 40 specially protected natural areas of federal, regional and local significance.
Gazprom is one of the major Russian nature users. The Company strictly follows the Russian legislation and international regulations. To perform these activities, Gazprom allots considerable funds and has highly professional personnel and technologies at its disposal.
The main requirements of the Russian legislation include regular environmental control and operational monitoring. It is conducted in all Gazprom Group companies.