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.
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