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(2004/C 88 E/0272)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0999/04

by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 March 2004)

Subject:   Connection of high tension pylon lines in the Municipality of Civitella Paganico

The Municipality of Civitella Paganico is allowing the Italian electricity company Terna SpA to continue with a project to connect the two existing lines of high tension pylons between Speranza-Valmontone and Suvereto-Montalto. The area in question is the site of a hitherto unexcavated Roman settlement and is, therefore, currently being evaluated by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities with a view to its being designated as a cultural heritage site. Despite that evaluation and the fact that the Municipal Council has already delivered a negative opinion, the project is still going ahead.

Does the Commission consider that the actions of the Municipality of Civitella Paganico are compatible with the Union's stated commitment to the protection of public health and of Europe's cultural heritage?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

Projects such as the construction of overhead electrical power lines fall within the scope of Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (1) (EIA Directive) as amended by Council Directive 97/11/ECof 3 March 1997 (2). It provides that Member States must ensure that, before development consent is given, projects likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue, ‘inter alia’, of their nature, size or location are made subject to an assessment of the environmental effects. The environmental impact assessment must identify, describe and assess the direct and indirect effects of a project on human beings, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climate and the landscape, material assets and the cultural heritage.

These projects are defined in Article 4 that refers to Annex I and II of the Directive. Construction of overhead electrical power lines with a voltage of 220 kilovolts (kV) or more and a length of more than 15 kilometres (km) falls into Annex I whereas transmission of electrical energy by overhead cables below the above mentioned thresholds is found in Annex II. For projects found in Annex I, an EIA is mandatory, while for projects found in Annex II, national authorities have to determine, either through a case by case examination or according to thresholds or criteria, whether the project is to be made subject to an assessment because of its likely significant effects on the environment taking into account the relevant selection criteria set out in Annex III of the Directive.

In this specific case, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, the Commission is not in a position to take a view on the subject matter. In light of the above, the Honourable Member is kindly requested to give more information on the matter in order to enable the Commission to assess the case according to the relevant Community law.

On 12 July 2003, the Council adopted Recommendation 1999/519/EEC (3) limiting the exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields in view of ensuring a high level of health protection. The recommended maximum limits are based on the guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection and endorsed by the Scientific Steering Committee of the Commission. Full adherence to the basic restrictions and reference levels included in the Recommendation ensures that the public is provided with a high level of protection against both acute and long-term effects of non-ionising radiation across the whole spectrum. At the same time, the Commission is closely following and financing research in this area and will react, if necessary, to any new scientific evidence not yet taken into consideration.

The responsibility for integrating the provisions of the Recommendation mentioned above into national law lies with Member States. The issue should therefore be taken up with the relevant national authorities.

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(1)OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2)OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(3)OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.

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