Energy, EU – Baltic States, Gas, Legislation, Lithuania

A special plan for laying the approved route (with a 250 metre wide corridor) is being prepared and will be followed by a technical design, the operator of Lithuania's natural gas transmission system AB Amber Grid said.

EIA report covers the assessment of the final impact of prospective economic activities on social-economic environment, human health, soil, ambient air, bodies of water, biodiversity, landscape, cultural values and other components of the environment. The route of the gas transmission pipeline was selected trying to avoid a significant negative environmental impact; measures to reduce and compensate negative impact were provided.

The decision of the Environmental Protection Agency was taken pursuant to the findings of institutions, which have verified the EIA report, and in consideration of the suggestions given by society. In order to familiarise and encourage society to engage in the environmental impact assessment process, EIA reports were published in the national and local press, handed out at public gathering places and appeared on www.ambergrid.lt the presentation of reports took place in all 22 neighbourhoods through the territory of which the pipeline route will run.

The total projected length of GIPL is 534 km, of which approximately 177 km will be in the territory of Lithuania. The 700 mm diameter gas transmission pipeline will connect gas compressor stations in Jauniunai (Lithuania) and Rembelszczyzna (near Warsaw in Poland).