Official: Russia can charge Norilsk Nickel owners for fuel spill

MOSCOW, Jul 24 (PRIME) -- The Russian government can charge the shareholders of Norilsk Nickel or other sources to compensate for environmental damage in Norilsk, but not from the profit tax, speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko told the parliament's supreme chambe on Friday.

"I talked to the government earlier this week. The government will do its best not to hurt the regional and municipal budgets with the compensation," Matviyenko said.

"Let the government decide whether it will be the personal means of the shareholders of Norilsk Nickel or other sources, but not the profit tax."

A fuel tank at Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company, part of Norilsk Nickel group, lost pressure on May 29 and leaked out 21,000 tonnes of fuel and lubricants into the river Ambarnaya, causing a fire. The Federal Service for Natural Resources Oversight assessed the damage inflicted on the environment by the spill at 147.7 billion rubles earlier in July, but Norilsk Nickel disputed the amount of damage.

Matviyenko ordered committees of the Federation Council to hold meetings in Norilsk to discuss the situation in detail. Reports on the situation must be prepared every three months.

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