Brussels, 17/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - EU environment ministers reached a political agreement in Brussels on Wednesday 17 December on the draft directive on limiting certain pollutants (nitrogen oxides, fine particles and sulphur dioxide) from medium combustion plants. This legislation was proposed in December of last year in the EU clean air package.
The general approach adopted, on the basis of an Italian Presidency compromise, softens the European Commission proposal. It brings in greater flexibility for existing infrastructure, making provision for differentiated regimes depending on plant size with the aim of reducing costs and administrative burdens for plants of between one and five megawatts. It also extends compliance deadlines for remote or isolated areas, end-of-life plants and district heating systems (this in order to take account of greater use of renewable energy). The text also provides for derogations for plants that operate for less than 1,000 hours (increase in the number of hours of operational work). Review clauses allow re-assessment of limit values.
The general approach paves the way for negotiations between the European Parliament and the incoming Latvian Presidency on a first reading agreement on the text that several delegations were pleased to see still on the table for the European Commission in its 2015 work programme (see EUROPE 11219).
Council President in office Gian Luca Galletti underlined the importance of this future European directive for achieving EU air quality targets, particularly in sparsely populated areas by covering sources of emissions that have hitherto escaped all regulation.
Stating that this directive was a key part of the air quality package, Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella said that, before giving its definitive view, the European Commission would assess the impact of the European Parliament amendments on environmental and health protection, as ministers had watered down several provisions of the text.
On behalf of the incoming Latvian Presidency, Environment Minister Kaspars Gerhards said that the general approach provided a good balance between the needs of protecting health and the environment and of rationalising investments. He indicated that he wanted to try to reach agreement with the Parliament by the summer.
Several delegations abstained: - the Czech Republic, “because the compromise goes further than the derogations and because, for the next 15 years, there will be no change in the emissions of existing plants”, according to the minister; - the Netherlands because, the minister said, “the proposal offers no incentive to reduce the emissions from existing plants in the next 15-20 years” and the country put down a statement for the minutes of the meeting; - Finland because of the concerns over small biomass plants in rural areas and the emission values for dust, and because the Commission impact study was based on a number of Finnish average-sized plants lower than reality; - Bulgaria because it feels that the clause increasing the sulphur dioxide emissions limit values from some plants of more than five megawatts is not feasible. Estonia did not support the approach because it feels the limit values for particles are too severe and because “a decision not to use shale oil would mean an end to urban heating”.
Clean air: plans to withdraw NEC directive alarms some ministers
In the course of the debate, several delegations expressed their concern at plans to withdraw the directive on the revision of national emissions ceilings (NEC) in the Commission's work programme for 2015. Lithuania said that such a withdrawal would be a cause for worry as the text is linked to the Gothenburg Protocol. Lithuania hoped that the Commission would consider the inter-dependence of the environment and the fight against climate change.
The Belgian minister stressed that it is “important that the Parliament and the Council continue to work” on the proposal for a review of the directive on national emissions ceilings. The Netherlands, like the ten member states that wrote to the Commission calling on it to keep the clean air package (see EUROPE 11208), encourages the Commission to take measures to improve air quality. The German minister acknowledged that he had been “very worried at rumours of withdrawal” but said he was reassured that it will be retained as part of the climate and energy package. The Luxembourg minister said she was “happy the air quality package was being kept but regrets the withdrawal of the NEC dossier, since improving air quality would reduce the thousands of premature deaths”. She expressed the hope that, in the future climate and energy package, the level of ambition would match the expectations of citizens. Malta said it was keen to “continue negotiations on the air quality package”.
Vella gave assurances that the Commission would take account of these comments in the coming interinstitutional discussions. “In the 2015 work programme, the whole package remains on the table. We will hold talks with the Parliament and the Council to achieve an ambitious package. We will do all we can to bring cleaner air soon”, he said.
Taking the Commission at its word, Galletti said in conclusion: “It's good news that the clean air package will not be withdrawn. I've take note of all the reservations expressed and of the assurances given by the commissioner that he will take account of all possible options”. (our translation throughout) (AN)