Brussels, 02/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - In an interview with German daily Frankfurter Runschau on 2 July, Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger argues for an “oil spill insurance” to be taken out by oil companies against environmental catastrophes, such as the accident on the BP drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. “Any company working in oil exploration must demonstrate its solvency and the financial ability to be able to assume the costs of damage caused to nature and to people in the event of a disaster. We have to consider a global civil responsibility insurance scheme,” Oettinger said, “similar” to the one for nuclear power plant operators, which have to hold financial reserves ready to be employed in the event of an accident. “However, obligations on financial reserves will have an effect on profits. That would have to be taken into account in the tax burden on companies,” he added. The oil spillage in the Gulf of Mexico has again raised the issue of the safety of oil exploration at sea and the financial liability of operators. “It is right to ask oneself, especially at the moment, whether new rigs and new exploration should be authorised or whether there should be a moratorium,” Oettinger said, having launched the debate at Community level. The issue will come under the microscope once again at a meeting in mid-July between the Commission, the energy operators and national regulators (see EUROPE 10166). The Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament has called for a moratorium on new drilling at sea (see EUROPE 10167). (E.H./transl.rt)