WRITTEN QUESTION E-0112/00 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Diversion of a high voltage power line in the locality of Merza (Galicia).
Date: 2000-01-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Regional Development Fund, Galicia, electricity supply, electromagnetic interference, environmental impact, impact study, non-ionising radiation

C 225 E/220

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

(2000/C 225 E/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0112/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(27 January 2000)

Subject: Diversion of a high voltage power line in the locality of Merza (Galicia)

A 400 kv high voltage power line between Mes(cid:243)n del Viento in Galicia and the locality of Lindoso on the
Portuguese border, which was included in an operational programme in Galicia for the period 1990-1993
and received funding under the ERDF, was diverted from the route approved by the Commission on the
initiative of the publicly-owned company Red ElØctrica de Espaæa S.A. and following a decision by the
Galician Government with the result that, counter to the project which was originally approved, it now
passes through the locality of Merza, which has 800 inhabitants. The Galician Government(cid:146)s decision,
taken in 1996, is also in breach of EU regulations on combating the harmful effects of non-ionising
radiation, which recommend that such power lines should pass through corridors which have no
permanent activity or dwellings and stipulate that prior impact assessments must be carried out and that,
at all events, compensation and expropriation schemes must be set up. Moreover, an action under the
Leader programme is currently underway in Merza, which has been seriously affected by the existence of
an unauthorised high voltage power line. Even though they have been approached on many occasions,
neither the Galician nor the central Spanish authorities have taken the necessary measures to remedy this
situation. Can the Commission report on the action it will take to remedy all the infringements of
EU regulations which have been committed in Merza, thus giving its inhabitants the satisfaction which
they deserve?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2000/C 225 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0116/00

by Karl von Wogau (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Compensation claims from undertakings hit by lorry blockades

Is the Commission aware that as a result of strikes in one European Union Member State, undertakings in
other Member States are being prevented from realising their export potential, which can damage their
economic prospects.

What options are open to affected undertakings to lodge claims for compensation, and with whom?

In the case under consideration, a sawmill in Germany regularly operates to the limits of its capacity. The
undertaking was prevented by the latest lorry blockade between Germany and France from exporting to
France. It consequently had to cut back on production, because its fully loaded lorries were left stranded at
the border. Output from current production could not be loaded. Additional transport and storage capacity
were exhausted.

The lost business cannot be made good because the undertaking is working to the limits of its capacity.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2000)

The Honourable Member has drawn the Commission(cid:146)s attention to the serious economic impact on
Community businesses of the border blockades imposed by French lorry drivers from 9 to 12 January
2000.