WRITTEN QUESTION E-2730/01 by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Fresh details concerning the Mugardos regasification plant.
Date: 2001-10-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Galicia, exchange of information, gas industry, industrial hazard, location of industry, military base, military equipment

C 115 E/152

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

(2002/C 115 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2730/01

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Fresh details concerning the Mugardos regasification plant

(5 October 2001)

In connection with questions E-1310/01, E-1359/01 and E-1379/01 (1) I should like to add that the
considerable public alarm roused by the planned Mugardos regasification plant has brought together all the
various citizens’ groups opposing the project, who have set up the ‘Comité Ciudadano de Emergencia para
la Ría del Ferrol’ (Citizens’ Emergency Committee for the Firth of Ferrol). General of the Reserve José
Gabeiras Montero has been appointed honorary chairman of this Committee.

General Gabeiras, who has expert knowledge of the position with regard to the Ferrol Military Arsenal, has
informed the competent bodies of the proven fact that the planned regasification plant is to be located at
800 metres from the Navy Arsenal 8 which means that any accident involving a liquefied gas tanker in
such a location could detonate the contents of the Arsenal and result in thousands of deaths.

General Gabeiras claims that the strategic value of the Ferrol harbour to the Spanish Navy and as a NATO
base are dependant on the site’s natural defences and those provided by the Spanish military base, but the
installation of the regasification plant and its gas tanks would make the whole defence system so
vulnerable that the site would be rendered strategically worthless.

Could the Commission stress to the Spanish authorities just how seriously this would jeopardize the safety
conditions obtaining in the town of Ferrol and its surrounding area?

(1) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001, p. 117.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2001)

In connection with the investigation of this issue, the Commission has just received a reply from the
Spanish authorities and is currently examining it.

The Commission contacted the Spanish authorities to draw their attention to the potential risk of locating
a regasification plant near an arsenal and to request information on measures planned or taken to avoid an
accident.

(2002/C 115 E/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2731/01

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Enlargement of the Port of Ferrol (outer port)

(5 October 2001)

With regard to my previous question E-1225/01 (1) on the enlargement of the Port of Ferrol (outer port) by
the Ferrol Port 8 San Ciprián Port Authority, a project which will affect the Natura Network 2000 area of
Costa Ártabra 8 Cabo Prioriño 8 Ensenada de Caneliñas, I should like to make the further observation
that the intended construction of an outer port will also mean the destruction or possibly removal and
reconstruction of a historic buildings complex comprising the San Carlos/San Cristóbal/Canelas/Cariño y
Viñas fortification and coastal defence batteries.

In the so-called ‘best case scenario’, the fact is that the removal to another site of these strategically
designed and located historic fortifications will mean that their entire raison d’être has been destroyed.

Deemed to be buildings of cultural interest, the fortifications are individual pieces of a larger complex
which involves the Castle of la Palma, the Castle of San Felipe and the Ferrol Military Arsenal. Efforts are
being made to get Unesco to declare the entire complex a world heritage site.