28.5.76 Official Journal of the European Communitics No L 140/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 1215/76 of 4 May 1976 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1056/72 on notifying the Commission of investment projects of interest to the Community in the petroleum, natural gas and electricity sectors THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 5 and 213 thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Articles 187 and 192 thereof, Having regard to the draft from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2), Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 1056/72 (3) provides that Member States shall communicate to the Commission at the beginning of each year information concerning investment projects relating to the production, transport, storage or distribution of petroleum, natural gas or electric power which are scheduled to start within three years from 1 January of the current year; Whereas experience has shown that, because of the technical, financial, industrial and social aspects of investment projects in the electricity sector, there is a growing tendency to formulate such projects at least five years before the expected commencement of work; Whereas it is therefore necessary to ensure that the Commission is notified of investment projects in the 1) OJ No C 280, 8. 12. 1975, p. 8. 2) O] No C 35, 16. 2. 1976, p. 22. (3) OJ No L 120, 25. 5. 1972, p. 7. electricity sector on which work is expected to commence within five years from 1 January of the current year; Whereas experience has shown that the Commission was not notified of some investment projects because one or more of their major features was sub)ect to further review; Whereas Article 2 (1) of Regulation (EEC) No 1056/ 72 provides that certain features of investment projects communicated to the Commission shall be indicated; Whereas experience has shown that in order to assess the significance of an investment project the Commission needs to know what stage decisions on it have reached and its place in national plans; Whereas experience has shown that the list of investment projects set out in the Annex to Regulation (EEC) No 1056/72 is not sufficiently comprehensive to ensure that the Commission has adequate information for carrying out its task in connection with the Community’s common energy policy, particularly in the petroleum refining and electric power generation and transmission sectors; Whereas, in the case of petroleum refining, investment in desulphurization plants for residues, gas oil and feedstock is of increasing importance in view of the strict quality standards to be adopted within the Community in order to control pollution; Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 1056/72 does not extend to investment in the electricity sector relating to nuclear electricity generating plants;