Biznes Fakty
Government to raise issue of penalties for arson
The government is set to discuss penalties for arson in Tuesday’s session. Prime Minister Donald Tusk previously stated he would propose „new regulations.” This decision follows the fire that occurred on Sunday in the Biebrza National Park.
During a briefing with the services near Grzędy on Monday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed plans to discuss penalties for arson. He mentioned that there are intentions to establish „new regulations” for cases that indicate intentional arson or „clear, inexcusable foolishness.”
– We all need to cultivate greater discipline, and at times, a more substantial penalty can enhance our awareness of the necessity to uphold that discipline – he emphasized. He noted that he would bring this topic up at the government’s meeting on Tuesday.
During the briefing, the prime minister was questioned about whether the fire might be an act of sabotage.
– (…) If there were to be arson orchestrated by foreign entities, for financial gain, then (he supports this – ed.) the penalties should be as stringent as possible. If a Polish citizen were to commit such an act on behalf of these entities, in my view, it should be considered treason. This is indisputable – stated Tusk.
He also mentioned that „we are still confronting senseless, deliberate arson,” which happens, for instance, when grass and meadows are burned.
A fire erupted in Biebrza National Park on Sunday. By Tuesday morning, 167 firefighters and 31 vehicles were involved in the firefighting efforts, as reported by Cezary Zalewski from the District Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Wysokie Mazowieckie. Firefighters from various units are participating in the operation.
– The situation has stabilized somewhat – Zalewski added, but remarked that it is premature to declare that the fire is under control.
Establishment of strategic reserves of oil and gas
At the Tuesday meeting, the government will also consider a draft amendment to the Act on Oil and Gas Stocks. This amendment stipulates that the responsibility for creating and maintaining strategic gas reserves will be transferred to the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS) starting from October 1, 2025. The target level for these reserves is set at 12.301 TWh, which is roughly equivalent to 1.06 billion cubic meters.
The costs associated with gas purchases and storage by RARS will be covered by the Emergency Stocks and Strategic Stocks of Natural Gas Fund, financed through a monthly fee paid by companies utilizing the gas transmission service. The agency will procure gas from the exchange and will have the option to buy or sell gas through tenders, auctions, or public procurement.
Furthermore, RARS will have the authority to decide on storage locations for the reserves, ensuring that they can be delivered to the national transmission system within a maximum of 50 days when circumstances warrant the release of these reserves. The project allows RARS to store gas within Poland, as well as in other EU and EFTA member states that are parties to the EEA agreement.
Additional agenda items for the government meeting
The agenda will also address amendments to the Geological and Mining Law concerning the implementation and adherence to the EU Methane Regulation. This regulation, which has been in effect since last August, includes provisions relating to the obligations for measuring, quantifying, reporting, and verifying methane emissions in the energy sector, along with measures aimed at reducing these emissions.
The next item on the agenda is the draft amendment to the regulation concerning the prohibition of using genetically modified maize seeds, which expands the list of maize varieties that are not authorized for cultivation in Poland.
