Climate minister Vitenbergs visits Bauska region – heating season, floods and river pollution

On Thursday, August 6, Climate and Energy Minister Jānis Vitenbergs visited Bauska municipality as part of a regional tour. His meeting with municipal leadership focused on preparations for the upcoming heating season, heat and water supply infrastructure, and support programs under the ministry's oversight.

Business visits

The minister began his visit at Balticovo, where he toured the biomethane plant recently launched in July. At Agaris Latvia, discussions covered peat export figures and flaws in the methodology for calculating soil emissions, which affect the peat industry. Later he visited Uzvara-Lauks in Gailīši parish to see energy efficiency in grain drying, and Bauskas Alus, where resource efficiency and heating readiness were discussed.

Heating and lighting

A meeting with council chairman Aivars Mačeks addressed pellet market stabilization and municipal investment needs. The minister said amendments are being prepared to open a second funding round offering municipalities over 6 million euros for energy-efficient public lighting. The municipality has already replaced more than 2,000 light fixtures with smart LED solutions this year. Executive director Ivars Romānovs noted the district uses wood chips and natural gas for heating, with liquefied gas as a backup.

Flood risk and pollution

The minister outlined an upcoming 40-million-euro program to reduce flood risks, supporting land reclamation and stormwater infrastructure, expected to reach the Cabinet of Ministers this autumn. Municipal officials raised concerns about stormwater drainage difficulties, damage to reclamation systems from recent heavy rains, and bacteriological pollution detected in the Mūsa river. The discussion also touched on a planned one-stop agency for vulnerable residents and coordination of the territorial plan.