WRITTEN QUESTION E-1422/01 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Hydrogen ‐ a new energy source.
Date: 2001-05-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, common transport policy, energy policy, energy technology, fuel cell, self-sufficiency in energy, soft energy

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Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

(2001/C 350 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1422/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Hydrogen (cid:129) a new energy source

Hydrogen is increasingly replacing petroleum as an energy source. In some European cities the authorities
are starting to set up facilities to allow hydrogen to be used for public transport and, in some cases, for
private vehicles. Hydrogen produced from methane could constitute the transition from the age of petrol
to that of completely clean hydrogen. Laboratories and research centres all over the world are already
the European
studying new technologies for producing this new fuel.
institutions have been more concerned with carrying out research into the impact on health of gases
produced by petrol (i.e. the health costs of pollution) and have done little to encourage research into or
exploitation of this new energy source.

is generally thought

that

It

Is the Commission acquainted with the results of research into the use of hydrogen in the field of
transport?

Does it intend to take any steps to promote the production and distribution of hydrogen for use in
transport?

Does it not consider it appropriate to promote a policy to encourage the use of this new technology, not
least in order to release Europe from its slavish dependence on oil, thereby helping to reduce the risks of
atmospheric pollution and safeguarding public health?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 2001)

For many years the Commission has acknowledged the potential for switching from energy produced from
fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) to hydrogen for transport and for heat and power production. Hydrogen,
especially when produced from renewable or nuclear energy sources, could at one and the same time
address problems of air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, energy supply security, oil dependence and
noise pollution.

Consequently, ever since the First Community framework programme for Research and Technological
Development (RTD), a significant number of projects have dealt with producing and storing hydrogen or
developing fuel cells (to convert hydrogen into electricity). The Non-Nuclear Energy Programme under the
(1999-2002)
Fifth Community framework programme for Research and Technological Development
dedicated a significant proportion of its funding to research and demonstration projects relating to
hydrogen technology particularly in association with fuel cells. To date, the Commission(cid:146)s financial support
under the Fifth RTD framework programme amounts to more than € 85 million, the bulk of which has
been granted to projects for fuels cells, hydrogen production and storage, hydrogen-powered vehicles and
other major heat and power production projects. The Commission is currently negotiating a contract with
10 European cities to introduce hydrogen as an alternative fuel for public transport (1). Thirty fuel cell
buses will run on hydrogen generated locally from a variety of sources, with half supplied from renewable
energy and green electricity. This is no doubt
involving European cities to which the
Honourable Member(cid:146)s question refers.

the project

With the goal of better integrating and structuring the European Research Area, the new research policy
plans to focus on priority areas. Accordingly, the Commission(cid:146)s recent proposal for a new RTD framework
programme (2) deals specifically with fuels cells and hydrogen technology.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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Following the publication of the Green Paper on the security of energy supply (3), the debate on the
selection of alternative fuels, including hydrogen, has also now been initiated. In addition, the Commission
is currently drawing up a communication on alternative fuels and vehicles in which hydrogen will have
a prime role.

(1) The cities taking part in the CUTE (Clean Urban Transport in Europe) and ECTOS projects are: Amsterdam,

Barcelona, Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Porto, Reykjavik, Stockholm and Stuttgart.

(2) COM(2001) 94 final.
(3) COM(2000) 769 final.

(2001/C 350 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1423/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Immigration and integration

It was recently reported that the German Government has drafted a law designed to introduce courses in
German and make them compulsory for people from outside the Community. The law apparently makes
provision for sanctions if people fail to learn the language. In the most serious cases the sanctions may
entail deportation.

Once again an EU country has acted independently from the other Member States in the field of
immigration, demonstrating that we are still
far from having a joint policy for tackling the real
implications of the issue.

Has the Commission examined the German draft law to assess whether it is compatible with

1.
European legislation on immigration?

2.
Does it have plans to take action aimed at treating the phenomenon as a European one and
introducing a unified policy for dealing with it, determining precisely the cases in which expulsion is
necessary?

Does it not consider that the German approach, with the appropriate adjustments,

is likely to
3.
integrate those non-Community citizens who decide to live in Europe and could enrich the Union if they
were not forced to live on the margins of society?

Does it not consider it appropriate to introduce a policy of allocating residence permits which
4.
depends not only on the behaviour of immigrants but also on whether they actually learn the language of
the host country?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2001)

With respect to the Commission(cid:146)s proposals for a new and comprehensive approach to the management of
migration flows and in particular for a common policy on immigration, the Honourable Member is
referred to the Commission(cid:146)s reply to Written Question E-1273/01 by Mr HernÆndez Mollar (1).

The Commission is aware that the German government is currently re-examining its immigration laws and
informal discussions have taken place with representatives of the Federal Republic, as with all Member
States, with respect to the draft directive on admission of third country nationals for employment (2). The
Commission cannot, however, comment on the provisions of the draft German law referred to by the
Honourable Member.

With respect to the integration of migrants, the common legal framework is expected to concern inter alia
the rights to be granted to migrants admitted and other matters which must be notified to the
Commission. It is intended that an open method of coordination for the Community immigration policy (3)
will provide a mechanism for the evaluation of best practice and the gradual establishment of common
norms and standards in the area of integration, as in other aspects of immigration policy.