A Brazilian court in the state of Rio de Janeiro has rejected a request of federal prosecutors to annul the environmental license of local steelmaker Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN), the Rio de Janeiro state general attorney (PGE-RJ) office said.
According to PGE-RJ, prosecutors at the country’s Ministerio Publico Federal (MPF) requested a court to annul the environmental license of CSN before the state regulator, INEA, on claims a new a conduct adjustment commitment term (TAC) was needed. The TAC sets requirements a party must comply with under a specific deal.
MPF’s request would only allow CSN’s sintering units No. 2, 3 and 4 to continue operating at its Presidente Prudente mill, located in the city of Volta Redonda, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The court rejected MPF’s request arguing environment regulator INEA let CSN operate under a provisional environmental license until all parties reached a deal.
The court said INEA is authority that has the right to oversee CSN’s activities, and as such, there is no need for the annulment of CSN’s environment license.