A4-0339/98

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual programme of technological actions promoting the clean and efficient use of solid fuels (1998 - 2002)(COM(97)0550/Ann. VI - C4-0074/98 - 97/0372(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 7a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is necessary to ensure that promotion of clean coal technologies should be applied equally to domestic and small-scale commercial and industrial boilers as well as large electrical power generation plant;

(Amendment 2)

Article 1

>Original text>

Member States shall endeavour to contribute in their energy policies to the promotion of clean solid fuel technologies, where appropriate, so as to ensure that the best available technologies (BAT) are used in order to limit emissions from solid fuel use, including carbon dioxide emissions. Account shall be taken of the Community¨s indicative objectives relating to clean coal technologies. These objectives are to be reviewed with the Energy Committee (see Article 7.2) on a year by year basis.

>Text following EP vote>

Member States shall endeavour to contribute in their energy policies to the promotion of clean solid fuel technologies, where appropriate, so as to ensure that the best available technologies (BAT) are used in order to

promote increased efficiency of combustion and to limit emissions from solid fuel use, including carbon dioxide. Account shall be taken of the Community¨s indicative objectives relating to clean coal technologies. These objectives are to be reviewed with the Energy Committee (see Article 7.2) on a year by year basis.

(Amendment 3)

Article 2, 2nd and 3rd paragraphs

>Original text>

The programme shall last for five years, from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2002.

>Text following EP vote>

The programme shall last for five years, from 1 January

1999to 31 December 2003.

>Original text>

The annual appropriations are authorised by the budgetary authority within the ceiling of the financial perspectives

>Text following EP vote>

The annual appropriations are authorised by the budgetary authority within the ceiling of the financial perspectives.

The total amount for the five-year period is ECU 7.5 million.

(Amendment 4)

Article 7a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Article 7a

During the first year of the programme the Commission shall report to the European Parliament on the extent and type of existing solid fuels generating capacity.

(Amendment 5)

Article 9

>Original text>

The programme shall be open to associated Central and East European countries in accordance with the conditions, including financial arrangements, agreed on in the Additional Protocols to the Association Agreements, for participation in Community programmes. The programme shall be open to Cyprus on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFTA countries following procedures to be agreed on with the countries concerned.

>Text following EP vote>

The programme shall be open to associated Central and East European countries

(including countries of the Former Soviet Union) in accordance with the conditions, including financial arrangements, agreed on in the Additional Protocols to the Association Agreements, for participation in Community programmes. The programme shall be open to Cyprus on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFTA countries following procedures to be agreed on with the countries concerned.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual programme of technological actions promoting the clean and efficient use of solid fuels (1998 - 2002)(COM(97)0550/Ann. VI - C4-0074/98 - 97/0372(CNS))(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(97)0550/Ann. VI - 97/0372 (CNS),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 235 of the EC Treaty (C4-0074/98),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0339/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

5. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.

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