Potenza prosecutors on Friday agreed to release energy giant ENI's Centro Oli oil treatment plant from court-ordered seizure. The plant near the town of Viggiano in the Agri Valley in the southern Basilicata region was seized on March 31 in a probe that resulted in ex industry minister Federica Gudi resigning amid conflict-of-interest claims. It treated some 75,000 barrels of oil a day, before two tanks and a reinjection well were seized. Prosecutors in June greenlit work to modify the plant, which has since been carried out.
State-controlled ENI, nine other companies, and 60 individuals have been investigated for illegal waste trafficking in the southern Basilicata region, prosecutors said earlier this month.
The 70 subjects were notified that the investigation has ended, in Italy usually a prelude to indictment.
Prosecutors say ENI reaped millions in "unjust profits" from illegally dumping waste from its Viggiano plant. As well, the probe found irregularities in the construction of Total's Tempa Rossa oil centre between Corleto Perticara near Potenza and Gorgoglione near Matera.
Former Total chiefs as well as various businessmen and officials were sentenced to terms ranging from two to seven years in prison on April 4.
The current suspects include former Corleto Perticara mayor Rosaria Vicino from Premier Matteo Renzi's Democratic Party (PD), former Basilicata environmental department chief Donato Viggiano, former ENI southern region exec Ruggero Gheller, his current replacement Enrico Trovato, and five ENI staffers who have been under house arrest since March 31.
ENI earlier defended its Viggiano plant operations.
"The Agri Valley (plant) respects international best practices" while company studies have indicated "no health or environmental risks", an ENI spokesperson said.
The probe in question does not cover a related one in Sicily - that investigation is still ongoing - nor a connected influence-peddling probe into the so-called "oil gang" led by Gianluca Gemelli, the boyfriend of former industry minister Guidi.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
