OREANDA-NEWS. On 29 August 2008 was announced, that "United Russia" intends to participate actively in the decision of environmental problems in the territory of Yakutia. Doctor of Engineering, professor Vladimir Grachev the coordinator of the party on ecology issues has informed on it. He also has certified the reliability and ecological safety of the ESPO project, an expert portal "East oil pipeline" informs.

Grachev has noticed that designing of all ESPO facilities was aimed at minimization of failures probability, and also exception of negative environmental effect. In his opinion, it is inappropriate to speak about threats for Lena river at construction of the underwater transition by means of a trench pipeline installation method. The scientist has emphasized that the trench method is safer than a tunnel one from the ecological point of view. Grachev has brought attention that there is no need to confuse technical questions of Eastern oil pipeline transition construction through Lena with the political ones. He has reminded that natural and environmental conditions and seismic activity of the region were considered at ESPO designing stage including underwater transition through Lena. The project documentation on ESPO has passed all necessary coordination and has received the positive conclusions of the state ecological commission, he has underlined.

Earlier Grachev declared that the environmental protection legislation, as well as the procedures of the public opinion account is completely observed at all design and construction phases of the Eastern oil pipeline. Strict fulfillment of the Russian legislation requirements and the international regulations, and also observance of principles of harmful environmental effect minimization are the main principles of Transneft’s environmental policy. Transneft’s obligations on preservation of the environment and maintenance of ecological safety extend on all structural divisions and contractors of the company.