Penza, 22 June 2011. PenzaNews. The Penza region took the 20th place in the ecological rating made by the All-Russian public organization "Zeleny Patrul" in accordance with the results of the analysis of ecological indicators of 83 regions of Russia. Thus, the region improved the last year's indicators on eight points.

The rating was formed on the basis of materials of various sources, including the mass media, given authorities, the public and expert organizations, working enterprises and initiative groups of citizens.

The Head of the department of Natural Resources and Preservation of the Environment of Region Sergey Hazov wrote in his blog in "LiveJournal": "I consider that the Penza region has deservedly got on 20th line of the rating. The quality of the atmospheric air, the quality of water is one of the best in the Volga Region".

Thus the official pointed out some problems, such as piling and keeping of firm household waste.