WRITTEN QUESTION No. 361/96 by Karl SCHWEITZER to the Commission. Falsified information in the JOULE programme
Date: 1996-02-22
Institutions: European Parliament, SCHWEITZER
Subjects: project management, renewable energy, report, research programme, technological change













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91996E0361

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 361/96 by Karl SCHWEITZER to the Commission. Falsified information in the JOULE programme  


Official Journal C 297 , 08/10/1996 P. 0005 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0361/96 by Karl Schweitzer (NI) to the Commission (22 February 1996)Subject: Falsified information in the JOULE programme1. Is the allegation which appeared in the Austrian magazine 'Sonnenzeitung' true that in the JOULE programme expert reports were falsified, to the detriment of research into renewable forms of energy?2. What has the Commission done to limit the damage and to ensure that the experts' opinions are accepted?3. Were those responsible for the falsifications identified and what action was taken?4. Is the allegation made in 'Der Spiegel' of 18 December 1995 correct that Wolfgang Palz, the German head of the department responsible for renewable energy, has been transferred and that Ezio Andreta, who is suspected of committing or being involved in the falsifications, has remained in his post.5. What action will the Commission take to deal with this discrimination against research into environmentally-friendly, renewable forms of energy?Answer given by Mme Cresson on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1996)1-2. The Commission has already publicly denied in the press and has demonstrated to Parliament that the accusations concerning tampering with expert reports to the detriment of research into renewable sources of energy were false. The Commission also vigorously refutes any unjustified allegations made against Mr Andreta, the director responsible for research and technological development projects concerning energy.The Parliament's research, technological development and energy committee has itself stated that the Commission decisions concerning the assessment of proposals concerning research and technological development projects put forward in connection with the first call for proposals under the Joule programme were taken by the Commission in line with its powers of implementation.3-4. However, the view of the evidence provided by all involved in this assessment, the Commission has decided to launch a more detailed enquiry in order to ensure maximum transparence and to guarantee that the procedural rules are obeyed without exception. This being the case, and in view of his organizational powers, Mr Palz has been assigned, with his own consent, to other duties while awaiting the results.5. As a supplement to its decision of 24 July 1995 assessing 181 research projects, the Commission on 18 December 1995 adopted a reserve list including a broad majority of projects on renewable energy sources. Moreover, on 16 January 1996 it issued a further call for proposals in this area and embarked upon a plan of action intended, in particular, for those intending to lodge proposals and to guarantee the quality of those proposals.