Czechs say 2006 emissions not much different y/y

...previous year, a Czech government official said on Thursday.

Czech firms have been given allowances to release 97.6 million tonnes of the gas blamed for global warning per year in 2005-2007.

In 2005, they had released just 82 million tonnes, helping the overall market surplus in the EU which has led to a collapse of prices of the allowance.

Last year was similar, said Jaroslav Suchy from the climate change department at the Environment Ministry.

"There were no dramatic changes, there was no significant rise nor fall in emissions," he told Reuters.

He declined to give a precise estimate, saying national data would be released all at once by the European Commission.

Most companies have reported their 2006 emission levels to national authorities.

Power firm CEZ which is the largest carbon dioxide producer, released 1.3 percent more of the gas last year than in 2005, a slower rise than its overall electricity production.

Suchy said the ministry had identified a rising interest in burning biomass, and thought this was a positive result of the emission trading system.

The Czech Republic is seeking European Commission approval to distribute allowancess for 101.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year in 2008-2012.

The commission is expected to decide on the Czech plan on Monday. It has cut emission levels demanded by most other countries.