WRITTEN QUESTION E-2134/01 by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission. Coal mine methane.
Date: 2001-07-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, United Kingdom, energy diversification, energy policy, natural gas, reduction of gas emissions, renewable energy

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/195

(2002/C 40 E/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2133/01

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(17 July 2001)

Subject: Aircraft cabin air quality

The problem of aircraft cabin air quality seems to be widespread. Not enough companies are being as
careful as they might on monitoring air quality in aircraft cabins. It seems that some even ignore the well-
being of their passengers by not running the air conditioning systems just to save money. Passengers
should be able to rely on minimum standards.

Is the EU doing preliminary work on producing European standards of aircraft cabin air quality?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2001)

The Commission is supporting two research projects on conditions in aircraft cabins, which are now in
progress. The first (Asica) deals with changes in air conditioning to improve comfort and the second
(Cabinair) investigates the effects of cabin conditions on health. Once completed in 2003, the results of
these studies could serve as a basis for European pre-standards.

The Commission, moreover, is following a major research programme on Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT),
which the World Health Organisation is organising. The objective of this research programme is to
describe in detail the relation between DVT and air transport, as well as the importance of individual
predisposing factors and the effectiveness of precautionary measures. The whole programme will last five
years but should give useful preliminary results.

The Commission will inform the Parliament of the results of these projects.

(2002/C 40 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2134/01

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(17 July 2001)

Subject: Coal mine methane

A large number of small former mining sites emit methane into the atmosphere. The coal mine methane
industry taps CMM from disused mines to use it to generate electricity.

The UK Government refused to include CMM in the renewables obligation introduced under the Utilities
Act 2000. The German Parliament, however, has included CMM in its Renewables Sources Act 2000. As a
result, in Germany, a 5p/kWh incentive is given to mine gas and it is reported that more than 80 planning
applications have already been made for CMM power plants on abandoned sites.

What measures does the EU intend to take to support the use of CMM?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

The final report of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) (available at http://europa.eu.int/
comm/environment/climat/eccp.htm) organised by the Commission recognised that recovery of methane, a
potent greenhouse gas, from disused coal mines contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
However, while methane recovered from landfill sites can be regarded as renewable, this can hardly be
considered to be the case for methane derived from coal in either abandoned or operating mines, as coal

C 40 E/196

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

has a renewable period of several hundred million years. The upcoming Directive on the promotion of
electricity produced from renewable energy sources (1) reflects this position. Its definition of renewable
energy sources in Article 2 (a) includes landfill gas but not coal mine methane. It should be noted that the
Parliament, with the support of the Commission, reached an agreement with the Council on this Directive
during its second reading on 3/4 July 2001.

Methane recovery can clearly be a profitable economic activity with environmental benefits (as shown, for
example, by the activities of the British Association of Coal Mine Methane Operators). Member States may
find that it is desirable to support or not to support methane recovery, depending on their particular
national circumstances. The Commission considers that national measures are desirable, in particular on
environmental grounds and should be encouraged by Community action where this is appropriate.
However, the Commission has no specific plans for such action at the moment.

(1) Proposal for a Directive of the Parliament and of the Council on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy

sources in the internal electricity market (OJ C 311 E, 31.10.2000) as modified (OJ C 154 E, 29.5.2001).

(2002/C 40 E/213)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2135/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Commission travel arrangements

(17 July 2001)

How much of the Commission(cid:146)s budget each year is spent on transport for Commissioners, and how much
of this is spent on the chartering of planes?

What tender procedure is used and what eligibility criteria must be fulfilled by potential bidders for the
contract?

Which firms applied in 2001, which one was successful and why?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(20 September 2001)

In 2000 the total expenditure on missions of all Commission officials and Commissioners was
€ 40 158 475, half of which (€ 20 119 217) was accounted for by transport costs.

this total, € 1 125 546 was spent on transport costs relating exclusively to the missions of
Of
Commissioners. € 411 599 of
that related to the chartering of planes by Commissioners who had
particular mission travel needs and those needs fulfilled the condition of strict necessity set down in the
provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by Commissioners in September 1999.

The Council, jointly with the Commission, initiated a public tendering procedure for such chartering. The
eligibility criteria to be fulfilled by potential bidders has been principally the lowest price, technical and
financial capabilities, availability, reliability and quality of service offered.

Fifteen independent companies entered the bidding process and, since the process is not yet completed, the
Commission is not in a position to disclose the identity of the bidders at this juncture.

Because the tendering procedure is not finalised, an ad hoc procedure for booking charter flights is being
followed for the time being. The Commission is seeking to ensure that the adoption of completed
arrangements is not unduly delayed.