Press release - October 9, 2013
Brussels - Yesterday, European Commissioners held an orientation debate on the revision of the Commission’s energy and environmental aid guidelines that provide the framework for assessing national state aid measures.
One of the most controversial issues had been whether the new guidelines would include for the first time, rules for granting state aid to nuclear energy. According to reports after the meeting, the College of Commissioners rejected this notion yesterday, and the Commission will not present draft rules on state aid to nuclear power.
Commenting on the debate, Greenpeace EU legal strategist Andrea Carta said:
“Reason prevailed yesterday since the Commission signalled that new nuclear energy should not receive state support. Creating a framework for subsidies to new nuclear plants would have meant encouraging investments in an already mature technology that cannot deliver energy without passing enormous costs and risks onto European citizens and the environment. We are glad that a large number of Commissioners opposed this absurd notion.”
The Commission will now publish its proposal, to be followed by a two-month public consultation. It is expected to adopt the final guidelines during the first trimester in 2014.
Notes:
[1] For more detailed information on what is at stake in the state aid guidelines review, see Greenpeace’s briefing.
Contacts:
Andrea Carta - Greenpeace EU legal strategist: +32 (0)496 161582, 
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Ed Davitt - Greenpeace media officer: +32 (0)476 988 584, 
For breaking news and comment on EU affairs: www.twitter.com/GreenpeaceEU
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments, the EU, businesses or political parties.