KIEV, Sept. 17 - The plans to build a new steel-making company in the Kiev region are facing growing opposition from local authorities that fear the project may worsen environment in the region.

Valentyna Semeniuk, the head of the State Property Fund, the country’s privatization agency, on Monday backed the mayor of Bila Tserkva, a city 100 km south of Kiev, who has been campaigning against the steel company.