19 Amendments of Pilar AYUSO related to 2010/0220(NLE)
Amendment 16 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) TheAlthough coal only makes a small contribution of subsidised coal to the overall energy mix no longer justifies the maintenance of such subsidies with a view of securing the supply of energy on a Union levelof the Union, provision should be made for the granting of aid to access indigenous coal reserves on the grounds of energy security.
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Union's policies of encouraging renewable and lower carbon fossil fuels for power generation do not justify the indefinite support for uncompetitive coal mines. The categories of aid permitted by Regulation (EC) No 1407/2002 should therefore not be continued indefinitely. Nonetheless, it should be recognised that replacing subsidised coal with unsubsidised coal will not greatly benefit the environment.
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) This Regulation marks the transition of the coal sector from sector-specific rules to the general State aid rules applicable to all sectors, save in respect of aid to cover exceptional costs, aid for access to reserves and aid for research and development projects.
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) The Community guidelines on State aid for environmental protection1 reaffirm clearly the European Commission’s positive attitude towards State aid for CO2 capture, transport and storage. This regulation upholds this view, stating that aid for coal mining to provide raw materials for said projects is compatible with the internal market. _____ 1 OJ C 37, 3.2.2001, p. 3.
Amendment 37 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In order to minimise the distortion of competition in the internal market resulting from aid, such, closure aid should be degressive and strictly limited to production units that are irrevocably planned for closure.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) As the European Union is committed to developing CO2 capture and storage technology under the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013)1 maintaining access to reserves until this technology has been proven and made available is only reasonable. _____ 1 OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1.
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) Given that in some regions of the European Union the opening of coal mines has had a huge impact on the landscape in areas that are part of the Natura 2000 network, remediation must be included into this regulation as an obligation.
Amendment 53 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) The Commission needs to ensure that the Member States make effective and selective use of the aid for regeneration of mining basins so as to encourage their economic diversification and overcome their dependence on economic activities linked to coal, especially in the regions most affected by the closures. Future regional policy after 2013 should provide the framework for setting objectives and establishing the necessary control mechanisms to help improve competitiveness in these regions.
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point a a (new)
Article 1 – point a a (new)
aa) ‘plan for accessing coal reserves’ means a plan drawn up by a Member State, providing for the production of the minimum quantity of indigenous coal necessary to guarantee access to coal reserves;
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. In the context ofAs far as definite closure of uncompetitive mines, coverage of exceptional costs, access to reserves and support for research and development projects are concerned, aid to the coal industry may be considered compatible with the proper functioning of the internal market if it complies with the provisions of this Regulation.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
a) the operation of the production units concerned must form part of a closure plan the deadline of which does not extend beyond 31 OctoDecember 201422;
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
f) the overall amount of closure aid granted by a Member State for any particular undertaking must follow a downward trend, where the reduction between successive periods of fifteen months must not be less than 33 percent of the aid provided in the initial fifteen month period of the closure plan;
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Aid may not be granted for costs arising from the remediation of mining areas if, under the legislation in force at the time mining began, setting up a bond to cover remediation costs was compulsory.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a (new)
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
da) the status of remediation work at closed or abandoned production units and, where applicable, the estimated period of time required for complete remediation of the mines.
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States which intend to grant aid for accessing reserves as referred to in Article 2a shall advise the Commission of the plan for accessing reserves at the production units concerned. The plan shall contain at least the following: a) identification of the production units; b) the real or estimated production costs for each production unit per coal year; c) estimated coal production, per coal year, of production units forming the subject of a plan for accessing reserves; d) the estimated amount of aid for accessing reserves per coal year.
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall notify the Commission of any amendments to the closure plan toand the Commissionplan for accessing reserves.
Amendment 81 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. When notifying aid as referred to in Articles 4 and 5 and when informing the Commission on aid actually paid, Member States shall supply all the information necessary for the Commission to verify that the provisions of this Regulation are complied with.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2