WRITTEN QUESTION E-1095/00 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Aboño thermal power station (Asturias).
Date: 2000-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Principality of Asturias, environmental monitoring, environmental standard, industrial pollution, power plant, public awareness campaign, quality of the environment

C 235 E/2

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

(2001/C 235 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1095/00

by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Aboæo thermal power station (Asturias)

(7 April 2000)

The residents of Pervera (Carreæo, Asturias) are inconvenienced on a daily basis by local industry. Several
days ago the Aboæo thermal power station emitted a large cloud of ash, but incredibly, the firm(cid:146)s
management refused to provide information concerning the cause and nature of the cloud to those
affected by the incident.

Can the Commission check whether this power station complies with Community environmental legisla-
tion, particularly Directive 88/609, which sets limits for emissions into the air by large combustion plants?

What action can the Commission take vis-(cid:224)-vis the competent authorities to ensure that this firm adopts
the measures necessary to guarantee a decent quality of life for the residents and protection of the
environment?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2001)

The power station concerned is classified as an (cid:145)existing plant(cid:146) in accordance with Article 2(7) of Directive
88/609/EEC of 24 November 1988 on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from
large combustion plants (1). For this category of plants the Directive does not set emission limit values.
Instead the Directive contains obligations in the form of ceilings and reduction targets for emissions of
sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from this category of plants at the level of the Member State. On the
basis of reports communicated by Spain emissions from this category plants are in compliance with the
requirements of emission ceilings and targets contained in Annex I and II of the Directive.

The Commission requested data on air quality from the monitoring network in the region surrounding the
power station at Abıno. On the basis of the information received there is no evident breach of the air
quality standards laid down in Council Directive 80/779/EEC of 15 July 1980 on air quality limit values
and guide values for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates (2).

For the purpose of verifying compliance with Council Directive 84/360/EEC of 28 June 1984 on the
combating of air pollution from industrial plants (3), additional
information concerning the technical
characteristics of the power plant at Abıno is required. The Commission will pursue this matter further
with the Spanish authorities.

(1) OJ L 336, 7.12.1988.
(2) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.
(3) OJ L 188, 16.7.1984.

(2001/C 235 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1877/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Progress on the Attica highway and the Athens suburban railway

The Attica highway, known as the Elefsina (cid:129) Stavrou (cid:129) Spata Airport freeway, is a major project which is
closely associated with the operation of the new airport in Spata and the 2004 Olympic Games. The
original budget of this project was GRD 450 billion, and it was due to be completed and gradually handed