The District Prosecutor's Office in Łomża is conducting a collective investigation into the activities of the company Columbus Energy under the government's 'Clean Air' program. The case involves suspicions of misleading subsidy beneficiaries. The Ministry of Climate and Environment is preparing a special law to protect victims from having to repay advances. Social pressure, including demonstrations on Wawelska Street in Warsaw, prompted the ministry to act. Columbus Energy's stock price plummeted sharply after the investigation was revealed.
Investigation into Misleading Practices
The Prosecutor's Office in Łomża is conducting collective proceedings against Columbus Energy. It is checking whether the company misled beneficiaries of the government's Clean Air program regarding subsidies.
Government Prepares Special Law
The Ministry of Climate and Environment plans a law that will exempt victims from the obligation to repay advances. The ministry abandoned its narrative of success under pressure from demonstrations and criticism.
Sharp Drop in Columbus Stock
News of the investigation immediately impacted the stock market valuation of Columbus Energy. The share price dropped drastically, reflecting investor concerns about legal consequences.
Social Pressure and Demonstrations
Hundreds of people demonstrated on Wawelska Street in Warsaw due to payment backlogs and problems in the program. This pressure was supported by local governments and non-governmental organizations.
Appeal to Report Cases
The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management appeals to victims to report cases to law enforcement. The investigation may cover many similar cases.
The District Prosecutor's Office in Łomża is conducting a collective investigation into the activities of the company Columbus Energy in the context of the government's Clean Air program. The proceedings, initiated by a decision of the National Prosecutor on December 23, 2025, aim to investigate whether there was misleading of subsidy beneficiaries. A statement on this matter appeared on the prosecutor's office website. In response to the growing scandal, the Ministry of Climate and Environment is taking legislative action. The ministry is preparing a special law aimed at protecting harmed program participants. The draft is intended to exempt them from the obligation to repay advances, which would provide real relief for people who, instead of lower bills and effective thermal modernization, ended up with enormous debts reaching up to 40,000 złoty. The ministry was forced to abandon its previous narrative about the program's success under strong social and media pressure. The Clean Air program was launched in 2018 as a flagship project to combat smog. Despite billions of złoty being invested, it has faced accusations for years regarding complicated procedures, payment delays, and irregularities in the actions of installation companies and financial intermediaries. This pressure took concrete form in the demonstrations of hundreds of people on Wawelska Street in Warsaw, where the ministry's headquarters is located. Protesters demanded solutions to problems with payment backlogs and legal loopholes in the program. Their voice was supported by local governments and non-governmental organizations. The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management officially appeals to victims to report cases to law enforcement, which could expand the scope of the investigation. The news of the prosecutor's proceedings triggered an immediate reaction in the capital market. The stock price of Columbus Energy experienced a sharp, deep decline, reflecting serious investor concerns about possible financial and reputational consequences for the company. The investigation may also concern external representatives cooperating with Columbus Energy under the program. „Apelujemy do poszkodowanych o zgłaszanie spraw organom ścigania.” (We appeal to victims to report cases to law enforcement.) — NFOŚiGW Liberal and social media emphasize the drama of affected families who, instead of help, found themselves in a financial trap, and criticize the incompetence of public administration. | Conservative and economic media focus on abuses by third-party companies, risks to the entire modernization program, and the need to fix the system without dismantling it. The entire case reveals serious weaknesses in the implementation of a key environmental program. On one hand, we have thousands of beneficiaries in a difficult situation; on the other, proceedings against one of the main market players. Further developments depend on the pace of legislative work and the results of the prosecutor's investigation, which may reveal the scale of irregularities.