Brussels, 05/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - Tuesday's exchange of views between Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio and the European Parliament's Committee on Energy concerned three burning topical issues: the internal market for electricity, the proposals of directives on EU gas and oil supplies and the "package" of nuclear provisions. MEPs seized this opportunity to express their (considerable) concern about the development of this package and, above all, about the provisions relating to the fund for dismantling nuclear power plants.
As she had previously done after the power cuts in Italy, Ms de Palacio recalled her intention to present a communication on this matter in the near future insisting on the responsibility of Member States to ensure there is a continuous supply of electricity, the need for close cooperation between network operators and the need to make major investment in infrastructure. The Commissioner also welcomed the "constructive" attitude taken by the energy committee on its nuclear package and "noted" the requests of MEPs regarding a surveillance mechanism to guarantee that nuclear power plants are dismantled in complete safety. She also pointed out that she was able to "show proof of flexibility" on the timetable proposed for processing radioactive waste. Ms de Palacio finally expressed her disappointment for the extremely negative vote of the Parliament at first reading, and at its proposals of directive relating to oil and gas supply security in the EU (EUROPE of 24 September, p.12). "I am surprised by this vote", she said, warning: "if this position is confirmed (…) I shall draw the appropriate consequences and measures".
Most MEPs are in favour of a legislative framework that ensures a "high level" of safety in nuclear plants throughout the EU but are sceptical about the way the debate is developing in this respect and above all about the question of funding for decommissioning nuclear power plants. With reference to a Presidency compromise "doing away with the question of decommissioning funds", Olavi Seppänen (GUE/NGL, Finland) asked the Commissioner if she could "accept the Italian proposal and disregard this question". "In Parliament, we only deal with old documents", her compatriot Marjo Matikainen (EPP/ED) said, asking if they wanted to "shunt the Parliament to one side". She also expressed concern about the level of safety in nuclear installations in candidate countries, as well as in Ukraine and Russia. Nuala Ahern (Greens/EFA, Ireland) said she could not, "in the name of the Greens", accept the current proposals which are "very unimpressive". Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) expressed doubt about the availability and good use of such funds given the lack of clear provisions in this respect, while German MEPs Michael Mombaur (EPP/ED) and Rolf Linkohr (PES) warned against the differences that exist between the countries of the EU concerning dismantling procedures and the amount of funds available. Paul Rübig (EPP/ED, Austria) called, for his part, for the package to be completed with proposals that take into account the risk of terrorist action. Brandishing a report by the UCTE (Union for the Coordination of Generation and Transmission of Electricity), Claude Turmes (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) was highly critical about the Commissioner's analysis of power cuts in Europe during the summer. In his view, "the development of the (EU's) market is no longer in fashion" and the lack of harmonisation will lead to "chronic instability".
"Yes, the Council has a Presidency proposal on the table which differs from that of the Commission, mainly with regards dismantling funds", Ms de Palacio admitted. It is, the Commission believes, "indispensable for a reference to be made to dismantling funds in this directive". Ms de Palacio nonetheless considers that the Italian proposal "maintains the aims proposed by the Commission". "We shall not abandon our initial proposals but we shall show proof of flexibility in order to reach an agreement if the objectives are fulfilled", she said. Ms de Palacio hopes "a global package" will ensure "safety" and make it possible to combat "unfair competition". She admits that the current package is "not comprehensive" but is nonetheless "a first step". Concerning the safety of nuclear plants in Russia, the Commissioner noted that this issue was dealt with in the context of energy cooperation between the EU and Russia, and that she was in favour of interconnection between the Russian and European electricity networks, on condition that Russia respects the environmental and safety norms.