BRUSSELS, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The European Commission said it was taking legal action against Slovenia for pollution issues and against Ireland for failing to meet renewable energy mandates.
The commission said Slovenia failed to comply with waste legislation at two landfill sites. The commission said high levels of toxic heavy metals were stored at waste disposal sites.
"Slovenia had agreed to address the problem, but slow progress has led the commission to call Slovenia before the European Union Court of Justice," the commission said in a statement Thursday.
The EU's Waste Framework Directive calls on member states to ensure waste management practices adhere to safe guidelines regarding human health and the environment.
The commission said Wednesday it was referring Ireland to the Court of Justice for failing to adhere to a mandate ensuring a 20 percent share of renewable energy by 2020.
"Ireland has already adopted a considerable amount of legislation required by the directive," the commission said. "However, some provisions still remain to be transposed into national law."
The European Commission proposed legislation this week that increases the renewable energy share mandate to 27 percent by 2030 using a "market-orientated approach."
