WRITTEN QUESTION P-1940/01

by Joaquim Miranda (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 June 2001)

Subject: Natural gas supply in the Lisbon area

The switch to natural gas in the Lisbon area has prompted many complaints from gas consumers and has also significantly increased the number of accidents on account of the poor quality of the services provided by the gas company Lisboagás.

This state of affairs is the result of the disbanding of Lisboagás' technical departments, which has led to the loss of jobs held by highly skilled and experienced staff who have since been replaced by contractors and subcontractors which provide labour on a casual basis (i.e. unskilled labour).

In addition, where the old town-gas pipes and other installations are concerned, Lisboagás has not carried out the necessary work of replacing everything that is made of lead piping, galvanised iron with screw joints and flax-tow seals, cast iron with riveted joints and seals which use lead and asbestos thread, and so on. Since natural gas does not have the same characteristics as town gas, the future supply network will be even more susceptible to leaks and accidents.

This state of affairs has been condemned by a number of bodies including the Portuguese consumer-protection organisation, and by the Lisbon city civil-defence department, which has carried out inspections in consumers' houses and has detected many faults and gas leaks which are cause for serious concern regarding the safety of fittings and installations.

This is in spite of the fact that Community legislation relating to the gas sector requires each distribution company to develop, operate and maintain a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally sound network.

Is the Commission aware of this serious state of affairs? To what extent does that state of affairs comply with relevant EU laws? What type of action is provided for under those laws in order to guarantee a safe network which will prevent the occurrence of accidents attributable to the use of sub-standard materials or the lack of suitably trained fitters?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2001)

The Commission had not been previously informed of certain deficiencies in the gas distribution system in Lisbon.

Safe and reliable natural gas pipeline systems are a condition sine qua non for limiting the risks incurred in the transportation of natural gas. For reason of the physical characteristics of natural gas and the risks both for the public health and for the environment, the Commission is of the opinion that the national and international codes and standards for the design and construction of gas pipeline systems and associated facilities, available and enforceable either in accordance or in conjunction with national legislation, shall not be compromised.

The responsibility for compliance with and maintenance of the technical safety requirements, under national law governing the construction and operation of gas installations, gas pipelines and distribution systems, lies with the national authorities.

The Commission has no direct competence regarding safety of technical gas installations.

In the Portuguese legislative context, all natural gas projects require the approval of the Ministry for Industry and Energy. Their technical specifications must be in accordance with the relevant national law, hence with the technical requirements and specifications laid down and the various decrees hereto enacted. To the Commission's knowledge, the pipeline design and construction requirements under Portuguese law and the obligatory application of international standards and norms developed in this area are of equally high level as in other Member States and should, if respected, contribute to the safe operation and supply of natural gas.