WRITTEN QUESTION E-2805/03 by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Solar energy.
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, financing, single-family housing, solar energy, solar energy end-use applications

C 78 E/170

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Does the Commission take the view that these French and German measures may violate the free

3.
movement and transport of goods in the EU?

4.
Does the Commission not believe that, if they were to be implemented, these measures would be
most damaging for the most outlying European regions, such as the Murcia region which remains an
Objective 1 region? Does this measure not represent flagrant discrimination among regions?

Does the Commission not believe that, at a time of economic recession in the euro zone, these

5.
measures would damage economic recovery in a key sector such as the transport of goods by road?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(31 October 2003)

Member States have the right to maintain or introduce tolls and user-charges on lorries of 12 tonnes and
above, provided they comply with the provisions contained in Directive 1999/62/EC (1) of the Parliament
and of the Council of 17 June 1999 on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain
infrastructures.

As long as Member States fulfil
the Directive, concerning in particular non-
discrimination, free flow of traffic and appropriate toll levels that are related to the cost of construction,
operation and development of the network concerned, they are in line with Community legislation.

the requirements of

As far as Germany is concerned, the Commission is still examining the envisaged toll system. The
Commission has to assess if the notified measure of the introduction of a distance-based motorway user
charge for heavy goods vehicles accompanied by a reimbursement system based on the purchase of fuel in
Germany is compatible with the common market and fully in line with the relevant Community
legislation. Due to the doubts raised by the notified measure, the Commission decided on 23 July 2003 to
open the formal investigation procedure laid down in article 88 §2 of the EC Treaty to allow Germany and
other interested parties to make comments. On 27 August 2003, a short version of
the decision
summarising all the relevant issues of fact and law has been published in the Official Journal of the
European Union (2). The Commission’s aim is to make sure that the principle of free movement of goods
will not be hampered and that the system fully respects the principle of non-discrimination.

In France there are no plans for a change for the moment, but the Commission will look at the case to
ensure the respect of these same principles, if such a development takes place.

(1) OJ L 187, 20.7.1999.
(2) OJ C 202, 27.8.2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2805/03

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Solar energy

Can the Commission advise whether there are any common funds available for the conversion of
individual dwelling houses to solar power?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2003)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that, based on the 6th Research and Technological
Development Framework Programme 2003-2006, priority thematic area ‘Sustainable development, global
change and ecosystems’, the Commission has in place a relevant activity to exploit solar energy for
electricity and heat generation.

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/171

The short and medium term part of this activity supports projects aiming at the cost reduction of
renewable energy technologies and their large scale integration within local communities. Common
contributions for the conversion of individual dwelling houses to solar power may be available only if the
action is integrated within a large project, that presents appropriate elements of research and technological
innovation, and has a clear European dimension.

(2004/C 78 E/0175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2809/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Innovative actions in the fisheries sector, 2003/C 115/08

Under reference No 2003/C 115/08 the Commission published a competition for innovative actions in the
fisheries sector (1).

The Notice of the Competition fails to provide two essential elements, namely the dates on which a
decision will be taken and the competitors informed of the outcome.

When does the Commission intend to rectify this omission?

When and in what shape can I have access to the list of projects approved?

(1) OJ C 115, 15.5.2003.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 October 2003)

in point 2.3 of the call for proposals referred to states:

The section ‘Duration of project, date foreseen for closing the awarding procedure and admissible financing
‘… the date foreseen for closing the
period’
awarding procedure is 15 October 2003. Projects are expected to start on 1 December 2003’. Therefore,
as this indicative timetable implies, the selection procedure for proposals received will be completed by the
end of 2003 and applicants will then be informed directly by mail of the outcome of their proposal(s).

Once the beneficiaries have given their assent by signing their grant agreements, the Commission will
publish a list of projects and beneficiaries and the amounts granted.

(2004/C 78 E/0176)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2810/03

by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 September 2003)

Subject: Allowing longer truck combinations in Europe

Finland and Sweden are allowed to use vehicles up to 25,25 m in length on their territories. This has
proved very effective and safe.

The benefits of longer trucks are multiple:

(cid:1) less fuel consumption

(cid:1) less emissions per tonne km

(cid:1) less room taken on the roads