Brussels, 29/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - It is expected that, on 6 July, European Commission Vice President with responsibility for Competition Policy Joaquín Almunia will propose extending the special regime authorising state aid for the coal industry under the terms of Regulation 1407/2002, which is due to expire at the end of this year, for a further 12 years. If the scheme is not extended, general state aid rules will apply to the industry, thereby posing a threat to the jobs of some 100,000 workers directly employed in coal mining. The proposal, which is likely to be adopted unanimously by member states, will go along with progressive closure of coal mines. From 2011, aid will be reduced by 25% every three years, and will cease completely in 2022. Furthermore, aid will only be for unprofitable units, due to be closed. If a mine receiving aid is not closed, the aid paid out will be recovered. The proposal is at odds with general European Union policy on tackling climate change and the announcement has brought sharp reactions, in particular from Luxembourg MEP Claude Turmes (Greens/EFA), who suspects serious lobbying from the Spanish coal industry and has called for the matter to be dealt with by someone who, he says, is more neutral, less involved, than Commissioner Almunia. Coal mines are to be found mainly in the Ruhr (Germany), in Poland, in the north-west of Spain and the Jiu Valley in Romania. (F.G./transl.rt)