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Three times more oil spills in Komi Republic

Publish date: February 17, 2006

Minister of Natural Resources in the Komi Republic, Aleksandr Borovinskih, says the number of registered oil spills in the Komi Republic last year increased threefold.

According to the minister, a total of 30 spills were registered in the republic compared to 11 in 2004. Borovinskih expresses special concern about the fact that oil companies more often conceal spills. A number of the registered 2005 spills came as a result of accidents with tanker trucks which subsequently polluted areas along roads, BarentsObserver reported.

According to Borovinskih, the gradual cut in powers of the regional authorities in Russia is a part of the problem. He believes it has become easier for oil companies to conceal spills after regional authorities were deprived powers within nature protection control.

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