Environment Minister Sergio Costa was in Milazzo, site of one of the largest refineries in Italy. A signal from the government to areas of high environmental risk? For environmentalists and Sicilians it was an important event, even if they reminded them that they have been fighting here since 2006 for a complete territorial redevelopment. Costa's day produced many good statements which will, however, need to be verified in the coming weeks. Especially for the money to be spent on revitalizing the area. But who knows if the first Italian "Green Energy Valley" will also be born right here, in the Apple district. An ambitious project, borrowed from the critical environmental issues of the area due to the heavy pollution produced by the historic refinery. From those smokestacks in front of the Aeolian Islands that filled pages with complaints from Legambiente, our Italy, the greens, the left, until a few days ago an energy conversion plan took hold.
Just Italia Nostra gave space to the project conceived by a Sicilian engineer – Giuseppe D'amico – who should soon participate in a technical table with the top management of ENI to verify its intentions. Local news is reassuring. Everything is perceived as a turning point, a business operations of circular economy which would see the birth of a "Green Refinery". Eni is involved, for its Ecofining technology, which produces quality green diesel from vegetable oils. It is the most important partner to really understand what and how to do . If we manage to replace fossil fuels with renewable ones – D'Amico explained – we will start a process that would eliminate the major pollutants currently produced, such as sulfur and aromatic polycyclics. After all, the energy giant has already carried out this operation in 2013 in the Porto Marghera plants. And something is also underway in the other large Sicilian refinery in Gela.
Timing is important because new technologies have to deal with competition and medium-long term investments. Sicily, coincidentally, in recent weeks faces the new regional energy plan with a large amount of investment. It would not be foolish to put together the needs of large industry and territories (very tired of negative energy impacts) to give legs to the "Green Energy Valley" project. Minister Costa, taking advantage of his visit, could stimulate the parties involved.
When the D'Amico project was presented at the Zeta shipyard in Milazzo, environmentalists referred to thematic documents of the United Nations. Like all innovative proposals on the subject of climate-changing abatements, the project has the ambition of eliminating dependence on oil in Italy and beyond. It is unlikely that this will happen in the medium term, notwithstanding the 2030 decarbonisation objectives. A goal, there is no doubt, but with still many obstacles. However, the reference to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change) report of the United Nations of Katowice in 2018, by those who care about the fate of this part of Sicily, fits perfectly. Scientists have indicated the need to allocate something like 7 million km2 worldwide to the cultivation of biomass for the production of biofuels. Here, where land reclamation and a long series of other regeneration interventions are behind schedule, there is a need to spend money wisely, as well as green. New Valley would be the way out. Perhaps at the government level, others could be imagined in other regions. The Milazzo refinery would be completely overhauled in a few years and without compromising jobs. If a synthesis is reached – as it is to be hoped – spaces will be created for the production of green chemistry, for bioplastics and supports for related businesses. A new conception of energy production almost 60 years after its inauguration.
