Press release - October 7, 2008
Brussels, Belgium — The European Parliament’s environment committee voted this afternoon to keep the EU trapped in the 19th century by setting weak emission performance standards for coal plants, said Greenpeace.
The European Parliament’s environment committee voted this afternoon to keep the EU trapped in the 19th century by setting weak emission performance standards for coal plants, said Greenpeace.
The committee supported a new emission standard for fossil fueled power plants built after 2015. In 2008, the cleanest fossil-fueled plants can emit less than 350 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour. For after 2015, MEPS supported an emission limit of 500 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour.
"This weak emission performance standard will not deliver the necessary decarbonisation of Europe's electricity sector. It means that highly polluting plants will continue to be built across the EU. Coal was dirty in the 19th century and it's still dirty today. Europe must break free of the shackles of its past and phase out coal to save the climate," said Joris den Blanken, Greenpeace EU climate and energy policy director.
In a vote on the review of the emissions trading scheme this morning, the same committee approved an amendment to give free CO2 credits for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects worth €11 billion (amendment 500). But in what is a startling inconsistency, MEPs during the same vote also approved an amendment blocking free credits for CCS projects (amendment 437).
"The parliament obviously does not speak with one voice on carbon capture and storage. EU taxpayers should not be asked to pay for so called 'clean coal', diverting resources and attention away from renewable energy and energy efficiency," said den Blanken.
Other contacts:
Mark Breddy – Greenpeace EU communications manager: +32 (0)2 2741 903, +32 (0)496 15 62 29 (mob.), 
Notes:
Over 50 new coal-fired plants are due to be built in the EU over the next few years.
Coal-fired power stations are the highest CO2 emitters in the power sector.
Greenpeace supports the immediate implementation of a coal moratorium by mandating a limit of 350 grams CO2/kWh for new power plants. Europe must quit coal and embrace an energy revolution.
Greenpeace’s E[R] blueprint shows that renewable energy, combined with greater energy efficiency, can cut European CO2 emissions by 80% and deliver half the energy needs by 2050.