The town of Skalica is preparing to hold a referendum on December 13 to decide the fate of a proposed Ecological Management Center (CEH), a large municipal waste-to-energy facility, following a petition signed by 4,000 residents. The Town Council approved the organization of the referendum, but disputes over the legal wording of the question have fueled tension between the petition committee and city officials. The final question asks whether residents agree to approve zoning changes that would exclude the placement of the CEH in Skalica.
Community concerns about the project are widespread. Residents and some councilors argue that the facility could harm the environment, raise air pollution and odor risks, and potentially threaten local tourism, particularly in neighboring Czech communities. Czech Environment Minister Petr Hladík has also voiced opposition, framing the debate as an international issue. Citizens have expressed frustration over perceived misinformation, with some claiming that prior zoning changes were based on misleading statements regarding potential industrial uses of the land.
Economic and environmental arguments are also a central point of contention. Opponents, including civic association Skalica je pjekné mjesto, argue that alternative waste-processing methods, such as existing mechanical-biological treatment (MBÚ), could handle municipal waste at lower costs, producing harmless byproducts like gray compost and fuel for local cement plants. “To meet capacity, MBÚ is currently forced to import some waste from abroad, but it produces minimal odor and methane compared to conventional landfills,” said spokesperson Želmíra Macháčková.
The investor, GGES, counters these claims, emphasizing that the proposed facility is safe and compliant with all technical and environmental standards. Media representative Ivan Rudolf stressed that professional studies demonstrate the plant will not be harmful, and that waste-to-energy processing (ZEVO) is necessary to meet future waste management needs. According to GGES board chairman Ivan Peschl, up to 77 percent of waste passing through MBÚ is ultimately energy-recovered in ZEVO or cement plants, leaving only a small fraction for landfill or recycling, illustrating the limitations of MBÚ alone. The project is expected to create approximately 100 local jobs.
Amid the debate, some councilors have expressed concern about the timing and divisiveness of the referendum, noting that holding it before the holiday season could reduce participation. Mayor Oľga Luptáková has encouraged all citizens to vote, emphasizing that the referendum question is simple and understandable for everyone. While community divisions remain, the referendum represents a rare opportunity for residents to have a direct say in the town’s environmental and urban planning future, highlighting the broader challenges of balancing development, sustainability, and public opinion.
Source: TASR, ENRIROPORTAL.SK
