{"id":902,"date":"2017-03-06T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-03-05T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eu-unit\/uncategorized\/902\/commission-green-light-for-paks-state-aid-ignores-orban-takeover-of-nuclear-regulator\/"},"modified":"2019-11-06T09:34:08","modified_gmt":"2019-11-06T08:34:08","slug":"commission-green-light-for-paks-state-aid-ignores-orban-takeover-of-nuclear-regulator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eu-unit\/issues\/climate-energy\/902\/commission-green-light-for-paks-state-aid-ignores-orban-takeover-of-nuclear-regulator\/","title":{"rendered":"Commission green light for Paks state aid ignores Orb\u00e1n takeover of nuclear regulator"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tBrussels – The European Commission has given a green light to state subsidies for the construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant in Hungary. The decision is irresponsible and ignores prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n\u2019s takeover of Hungary\u2019s nuclear regulator, warned Greenpeace.
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A new law approved by the Hungarian Parliament in early December allows the government to overrule the country\u2019s nuclear regulator on matters related to the construction of nuclear reactors and radioactive waste storage facilities. Greenpeace warned that government control threatens the regulator\u2019s independence and its ability to enforce nuclear safety measures. The independence and transparency of national regulators is a basic safeguard enshrined in the Euratom Treaty.<\/p>\n

Greenpeace EU legal adviser Andrea Carta <\/strong>said: \u201cThe Commission is being spectacularly irresponsible: it\u2019s allowing massive subsidies for a project backed by a government that openly challenges the importance of independent oversight for nuclear safety. The EU competition watchdog uses the Euratom treaty to justify state aid, but ignores the treaty when it clearly conflicts with Hungary\u2019s takeover of its nuclear regulator. The Commission\u2019s decision means Paks will have an unfair advantage on the energy market, making it harder for renewable energy to compete.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Hungary wants Rosatom \u2013 a state-owned Russian company \u2013 to build two new reactors at the Paks nuclear plant. The Commission launched an infringement case after Hungary awarded the contract without holding an open tender, but Brussels approved<\/a> the Rosatom deal in November 2016. The Commission has refused<\/a> to explain how it reached this decision.<\/p>\n

Russia plans to finance the reactors through an international loan, as stipulated in a 2014 nuclear cooperation agreement with Hungary. Paks II is expected to cost around \u20ac12.5 billion. The Hungarian government has repeatedly denied<\/a> that the project would require state aid.<\/p>\n

Greenpeace Hungary energy campaigner Andr\u00e1s Perger<\/strong> said: \u201cWith today\u2019s decision<\/em>, the Commission recognises that Paks can only go ahead with public subsidies. But it\u2019s not over yet. We intend to challenge the project\u2019s environmental license, <\/em>which breaches several national and international laws. The Hungarian government has mislead its people: Paks II is not economically viable and it will cost taxpayers dearly.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Andrea Carta<\/strong> – Greenpeace EU legal strategist: +32 (0)496 16 15 82, andrea.carta@greenpeace.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Andr\u00e1s Perger<\/strong> – Greenpeace Hungary climate and energy campaigner: +36 20 371 1266, andras.perger@greenpeace.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Greenpeace EU press desk<\/strong>: +32 (0)2 274 1911, pressdesk.eu@greenpeace.org<\/a><\/p>\n

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This press comment is also available on: www.greenpeace.eu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

For breaking news and comment on EU affairs: www.twitter.com\/GreenpeaceEU<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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