Deputy minister of energy, Angel Minev, quoted by BTA, stated that electricity prices are likely to drop after privatisation concludes. This is demonstrated effectively in Central and Western Europe, where the cost of electric power has dropped by 20% for industrial consumers and by approximately 40% for households in the last ten years. Minev added that a system of preferential price forming with regard to electric power has been established in Bulgaria. It has been approved by the ministry of energy and the regulations commission. Minev emphasised that the four power plants of Maritsa-Iztok complex in Stara Zagora (Southeastern Bulgaria) are licensed by the regional environmental protection service to eject certain quantities of emissions into the air until 2006. Nevertheless, analysis data shows no indication of pollution exceeding the norms.