In response to growing concerns about air pollution, Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw has announced a series of stringent guidelines aimed at protecting the environment. The new measures, which will affect neighborhood generators, vehicles, stations, and both licensed and non-licensed refineries, are intended to address the rising levels of air pollution in Erbil and its surroundings.

Governor Khoshnaw emphasized that any party failing to comply with these guidelines will face severe penalties. This initiative follows warnings from experts and environmentalists about the detrimental impact of air pollution in the region.

Key Guidelines Include:

Closure of Non-Licensed Refineries: A total of 138 non-licensed refineries in Erbil province will be shut down to mitigate environmental harm.
Quality Gas for Generators: Neighborhood generators are required to use high-quality gas, with mandatory daily quality checks to ensure compliance.
Silent Systems for Generators: Generators lacking silent systems have one week to install them or face legal action.
Vehicle Pollution Control: Vehicles contributing to environmental pollution will be confiscated, with owners required to rectify the issues before reclaiming them.
Power Plant Compliance: The Ministries of Electricity and Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government must implement environmental protection measures at the Khabat Thermal Power Plant, which has been a focal point of citizen protests due to pollution.

Governor Khoshnaw stressed that stricter measures would be enforced against non-compliant generators, including arrests of owners and the reclamation of generator locations.

To ensure the effective implementation of these guidelines, a special committee led by the deputy governor has been established. This committee will oversee the execution of the new regulations and ensure that environmental protection remains a priority in Erbil province.