Brussels, 07/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - Six months after the explosion that destroyed BP's Deepwater Horizon platform in the Gulf of Mexico, the idea put forward by Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger of a moratorium on offshore oil exploration in the EU while awaiting a review of Community rules on safety and liability in the event of an oil spillage is causing controversy in Europe.
Going against the position adopted by its environment committee at the end of September, the European Parliament (EP), meeting in plenary session in Brussels on Thursday 7 October, came out against a provisional suspension of deepwater drilling. Though MEPs approved a resolution calling for tougher security criteria for oil platforms in Europe and for damages paid by companies after serious incidents to be raised, by 601 votes to 23, with 13 abstentions, the EP rejected the option of a moratorium on any new drilling for oil in the open seas by a margin of 323 votes to 285.
Although non-binding, the resolution sends a clear political message to the European Commission which is expected to confirm its backing for a moratorium on 13 October, while awaiting the exact causes of the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Oettinger, a supporter of a moratorium, is expected, nonetheless, to submit a legislative proposal to the Parliament and Council, with the Council discussing the issue at the meeting of EU energy ministers in Luxembourg on 15 October.
Greens accuse Centre-Right. While welcoming the support of the Parliament for toughening EU legislation on safety and liability in the event of an oil spillage, the Greens/EFA have criticised the rejection by their fellow MEPs of the moratorium called for by Oettinger, with Centre-Right MEPs singled out for particular criticism. “Offshore oil exploration has increase exponentially. The attached risks have also grown, and safety measures remain largely inadequate. Only a moratorium on all new offshore oil exploration in EU waters could have reduced the risks. … The Parliamentary majority had the opportunity to anticipate and prevent serious incidents. Once again we have to put our trust in the little credit and confidence that we can have in the oil industry. It is regrettable to have to carry on as if nothing had happened when strong political measures are needed,” said Michèle Rivasi (France) in a press release. (E.H./transl.rt)