WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3015/97 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Illustrative nuclear programme for the European Union
30. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 134/59 (98/C 134/72) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3015/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Illustrative nuclear programme for the European Union With reference to the Commission Communication on the nuclear industries in the European Union (an illustrative nuclear programme according to Article 40 of the Euratom Treaty) (COM(96) 0339 final) (CES 470/97), nuclear energy, which today provides a third of the EUís electricity supplies, has a number of major environmental advantages over fossil fuels for the production of electricity, for example the lack of CO2 emissions. However, extensive systems are needed to ensure the safety of nuclear operations. Widespread public fears, the deregulation and exposure to competition of markets which had enjoyed protection in most Member States (resulting in long-term, high-level capital investment) and the availability of natural gas at competitive prices for use in smaller, more efficient and less costly power stations, are decisive factors making it highly unlikely, on the basis of current information, that nuclear energy will continue to be produced after 2005-2010, when the existing nuclear power plants in most Member States will cease to operate. This prospect raises serious strategic questions for the EUís energy policy. The failure to illustrate the importance of these strategic questions in the document and to make an adequate assessment of the probable impact on the EUís energy policy are serious omissions. Will the Commission specifically address these questions in the final version of its illustrative nuclear programme, produce clear conclusions and provide an indication of the future situation for the interested parties and the public? Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1997) The Commission adopted the definitive version of the illustrative nuclear programme on 25 September 1997 (1). The Commission notes that natural gas now seems to be an attractive means of producing electricity and, as a result, apart from two nuclear plants under construction in France, there are no further known plans to build nuclear power plants in the Community. In the current illustrative nuclear programme, the Commission felt that it was inappropriate to put forward long-term investment programmes given the uncertainties concerning the future of nuclear power in some Member States. However, if there is renewed political agreement within the Community in favour of nuclear power, it may be necessary to re-establish longer-term objectives. It should be pointed out that after 2010, replacement programmes for existing nuclear stations may be established by Member States which wish to replace power plants due to be decommissioned by new advanced reactors or new reactor systems. However, such decisions are not foreseeable at the present time. (1) COM(97) 401 final. (98/C 134/73) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3017/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: Forestry With reference to The situation and problems of forestry in the European Union and potential for developing forestry policiesí (CES 0476/97) (1);