L 32/82 Official Journal of the European Union 4.2.2006 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 26 November 2003 on the aid scheme which Italy (Region of Piedmont) is planning to implement for the reduction of airborne pollution in its territory (notified under document number C(2003) 3520) (Only the Italian version is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2006/63/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty (1), Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provisions cited above, Whereas: 1. PROCEDURE (1) By letters dated 16 December 2002, registered by the Commission on 18 December (A/39321), and 20 December 2002, registered on 31  December (A[39483), the Italian authorities notified, pursuant to Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty, an aid scheme planned by the Region of Piedmont for the extension of the network of service stations for the sale of natural gas used as motor fuel. () O] L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1. (2) By letter D/50722 of 3 February 2003, the Commission requested additional information on the notified scheme. (3)  The Italian authorities submitted additional information by letter of 25 March 2003, registered on 28 March (A32278). (4) By letter SG(2003) D[229965 dated 28 May 2003, the Commission informed Italy that it had decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the proposed measure. (5)  The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (%). The Commission called on interested parties to submit their comments within the prescribed period (one month), pursuant to Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999. (6)  The Commission received comments from interested parties on 29 August 2003 (Bundesverband der deutschen Gas- und Wasserwirtschaft e. V. (BGW), Germany), 1 September 2003 (Federal Ministry of Finance, Germany) and 2 September 2003 (OMV Erdgas, Austria). (7)  Ttaly’s official response — after two extensions of the deadline had been requested by the Italian authorities on 10 July and 5 August 2003 and granted by the Commission on 7 August 2003 — was submitted by letter of 10 October 2003 (A/37006). () O] C 183, 2.8.2003, p. 5.