WRITTEN QUESTION E-3571/01 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Building of gas-turbine thermal power stations in the province of Reggio Emilia.
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, application of EU law, environmental impact, environmental protection, health risk, power plant, prevention of pollution

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/143

Under the Community rules on the cotton aid scheme applicable from the 2001/2002 marketing year the
Commission was officially informed of
the reorganisation of policing arrangements to which the
Honourable Member refers. The tasks are now assigned to a single paying agency, OPEKEPE, with which
the Cotton Organisation has been integrated at both national and regional level.

Obviously with the new structure there is no need for establishment of a system of coordination, as
required by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1591/2001 of 2 August 2001 laying down detailed rules for
applying the cotton aid scheme (2) where there are several inspection bodies.

In the course of the accounts clearance procedure provided for by Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 the
Commission will ensure within the set time limits that the requirements pertaining to the decisions on
financial clearance and compliance are met.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 201, 3.8.2001.

(2002/C 160 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3571/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Building of gas-turbine thermal power stations in the province of Reggio Emilia

In the Reggio Emilia province (Emilia Romagna region, Italy), the authorities are making plans for the
building of gas-turbine thermal power stations in the inner suburbs of the city of Reggio Emilia and in
Brescello. Various action committees and associations, concerned at the implications of these plans in
terms of public health and environmental impact, are campaigning against the decision.

Will the Commission check whether the building of such power stations in the Reggio Emilia province is
in keeping with European environmental, public health and public safety regulations?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2002)

The Commission has the task of ensuring the correct application of Community law, in the light of the
powers conferred on it by the EC Treaty. As the guardian of the Treaty, it does not hesitate to take all
necessary measures, including infringement procedures under Article 226 of the Treaty, in order to ensure
the observance of Community law.

In the specific situations pointed out by the Honourable Member, the Directive on environmental impact
assessment (Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 (1) on the assessment of the effects of certain
public and private projects on the environment whether before or after being amended by Directive
97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2)) constitutes the possibly relevant Community law.

However, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, due to a lack of grounds of
complaint on the application of Community law, no breach of it can be identified at present. Should the
Honourable Member provide detailed information enabling the Commission to assess the issues in relation
to the above mentioned directive, the Commission would also be able to investigate this matter.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.