domov.sme.sk:
Electric furnace, psycho tests or fire stations.
What Slovakia failed to do with the Recovery Plan
April 22, 2025
U. S. Steel will continue to pollute the air for the time being, psychologists will have to be happy with outdated psychological tests, and firefighters will not get new stations. The Recovery Plan must be completed by next summer, but it is already clear that we will not have time to complete some of the planned investments.
We have so far received a little more than half of the total amount of 6.3 billion euros. The positive thing is that at least for now we will not lose money for goals that we will not have time to meet. The Office of Deputy Prime Minister Peter Kmec, who is responsible for the Recovery Plan, sent the European Commission a request for a revision worth 414 million euros in January. It proposes that the amounts for other projects be increased by unused investments. The European Commission is to comment on our proposals by the summer at the latest.
The SME newspaper has listed the goals that Slovakia will definitely not meet.
The electric furnace will not be built yet
It was supposed to be the largest investment item in the Recovery Plan. The American U. S. Steel was to receive a subsidy of almost 300 million euros as part of the decarbonization of the industry. The money was to be spent for the purchase of electric arc furnaces, which were to replace the current coke-based blast furnaces.
Although the company joined the call, it did not sign a contract with the Ministry of the Environment. The reason is that U. S. Steel is currently changing ownership. The potential buyer is the Japanese steel giant Nippon Steel. However, the sale is being delayed due to opposition from the US government and the company was unable to commit to such a large investment in such a short time. It would have to pay at least a billion euros from its own resources. Slovakia is very interested in the Kosice steelworks making the investment. U. S. Steel is the largest polluter and Kosice is among the locations with the worst air quality in Slovakia. If the company were to replace its furnaces with a more environmentally friendly alternative, it would significantly help Slovakia meet its climate goals by 2030. The company would also save money by not having to buy so many emission allowances.
kosice.korzar.sme.sk:
Ten projects from Eastern Slovakia will allocate the sum of 30 thousand
April 20, 2025
A total of ten projects from eastern Slovakia received support within the 18th year of the grant program Together for the Region. They will redistribute the amount of 30,000 euros. The coordinator of the grant program Zuzana Baranecova informed about on behalf of the company U. S. Steel Kosice. Projects from the Kosice and Presov regions are focused on educational and leisure activities for children, on increasing safety, environmental protection and regional uniqueness. She specified that thanks to the support from the program, a relaxation zone will be created in Kamenice nad Cirochou, an outdoor fitness area in the village of Lucka and the village of Cestice will improve its municipal park. A gazebo will be built in Druzstevna pri Hornade and Kysak Castle will become more accessible to tourists. At the Jozef Urban Elementary School in Kosice, the revitalization of the athletic oval, football field and jumping court will begin. Other projects are focused on children and youth, their sports activities and a positive relationship with nature.
A specific feature of all projects is the active involvement of the employees of the metallurgical company. “It is wonderful to see how our employees are interested in the communities in which they live. Their initiative and effort to positively influence our surroundings is inspiring,” added Mike Piekut, acting president of U. S. Steel Kosice.
