Energy infrastructure

MEPs in the EU Parliament plenary voted today on Member States' responsibilities to notify the Commission on energy infrastructure projects. Parliament insisted on its co-decision rights with Council under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty and demanded several transparency measures, falling short, however, on requesting the same on matters regarding nuclear energy, citizens' participation or public support for energy infrastructures.

French Green MEP Yannick Jadot commented:

"The European Parliament's vote has put real pressure on Council. Following the lead of the Greens, MEPs have demanded that financial information on all energy projects is provided to the Commission five years before the start of their construction. This will be a powerful tool to keep up with the evolution of Europe's energy market. I welcome that MEPs also put special emphasis on the energy efficiency of new energy infrastructures, which is the cheapest and most effective response to our energy security concerns.

I regret that MEPs rejected Greens/EFA amendments designed to increase transparency by demanding information on nuclear waste disposal installations, compulsory consultation with relevant associations, and publication of EU and Member State financial support to energy infrastructure projects. It is shameful that a majority of MEPs do not want citizens to know how their tax money is being spent!

MEPs will engage in discussions with the Council and have demanded their co-decision rights on this issue under the Lisbon Treaty. Parliament has drawn a line in the sand by refusing to be merely consulted by member states. Energy is not only a matter for member states. Transparency should not stop at the gates of nuclear waste facilities."