GREEN HURDLES LOOM FOR EIGHT PROJECTS

       Upstream and downstream petrochemical plants as well as nuclear power plants are on the list of eight industrial projects with a "serious impact" on local communities that was recently issued by the Industry Ministry.
       Appearing on the list means these projects must pass health-impact assessments, receive local communities' endorsement in a hearing and win approval from an independent environmental body to be set up by the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry under the auspices of Article 67 of the Constitution.
       The other six project activities covered by the list are underground mining; lead and zinc mines; chemical-based mineral dissolving and upstream steel production with daily minimum capacity of 20,000 tonnes; industrial estates for upstream steel production or upstream to midstream petrochemical plants; dumping sites and kilns for hazardous wastes; and fossil-fuel power plants (except gas-fired plants) with minimum capacity of 100 megawatts.
       Vice Industry Minister Sorayud Petchtrakul yesterday said Minister Charnchai Chairungrueng had endorsed the list this past Monday.
       "We have no choice but to issue the list, in order to comply with the law," he said.
       Department director-general Witoon Simachokedee said his agency had already approved operating licences for 12 projects with a combined value of Bt59 billion.
       So far, only PTT's gas-separation plant, which is not on the list of serious-impact activities, is awaiting department approval.
       LAWSUIT
       Nevertheless, even though the list has been declared, in accordance with the government's resolution, the projects can proceed in the absence of the independent environment body.
       Suthi Atchasai, coordinator of a citizens' network on the Eastern Seaboard, yesterday said the network would soon file suit against the National Environmental Board for approving the environmental impact assessment for 55 projects slated for the industrialised zone in Rayong's Map Ta Phut.
       Most of those projects are petrochemical projects of PTT, the Siam Cement Group and Dow Chemical.
       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday told villagers from Map Ta Phut that not all of the 55 projects in the area were causing environmental problems. Villagers should consider each on a case-by-case basis.
       He insisted there should not be a consensus that investment in Map Ta Phut must be frozen.
       "Personally, some of them can proceed," he said.
       He also mentioned the possibility of declaring Map Ta Phut a special administrative zone. With its own autonomy, the zone would demonstrate unity and "speedy and united" decisions, Abhisit said.
       He also believes public access to the zone will be granted. However, a law must be enforced to push through the idea.
       Abhisit said he was pushing for a conclusion to determine if Map Ta Phut should become a special administrative zone.
       He said government measures to contain the environmental impact in Map Ta Phut would be designed in a framework that could be enforced in other areas.