WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3852/97 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS to the Commission. Pollution by the DEI in Greece
C 223/24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 7. 98 Also the retroactivity of national fiscal legislation has to be judged within the framework of the national legislation. It is useful to recall that the Commission has devoted particular attention to the importance of taxation in the process of European integration. The Commission intends to continue the tasks given to it by the Treaties and to institute proceedings before the Court of justice in all cases where an infringement against Community law is established. (1) OJ L 145, 13. 6. 1977. (2) OJ L 76, 23. 3. 1992. (98/C 223/25) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3852/97 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1997) Subject: Pollution by the DEI in Greece The region of Ammoudara in Linoperamata near Herakleion in Crete is the site of an electricity generating plant operated by the Greek Public Electricity Board (DEI). Local inhabitants and people working in the region allege that emissions and waste from this plant are causing the catastrophic pollution of the natural environment and the atmosphere of this region which is of outstanding natural beauty: this is greatly damaging tourism which is the mainstay of the local economy. Despite repeated assurances by the competent authorities that measures will be taken to remedy this situation, a number of years have gone by without any action being taken. Will the Commission say whether the operation of this plant in the region in question is in keeping with Community environmental legislation › and if not what should be done to remedy the situation › and whether it will agree to funding appropriate measures, such as the removal of the plant from this region or even the fitting of filters in its flues so as to solve this serious problem, or at least reduce it to a bearable level? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (20 January 1998) The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that it is aware of these allegations and has already taken action by registering a complaint on this issue. The Commission is examining the allegations pursuant to the provisions of Community law and will seek for more information from the Greek authorities. In particular, the Commission will examine the case of degradation of the environment due to air pollution caused by the operation of the energy plant of the Public power corporation (PPC) in contradiction to Council Directive 94/66/EC of 15 December 1994 amending Council Directive 88/609/EEC of 24 November 1988 concerning the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the atmosphere from large combustion plants (1) and Council Directive 84/360/EEC of 28 June 1984 on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants (2). In case a breach of Community law is established, the Commission will launch the infringement procedure of article 169 of the EC Treaty. The Commission would welcome any further information in order to be able to reach a decision on the issue. However, it is important to note that the complainants have the possibility to seek for administrative remedies before the Greek authorities or for a judicial review under the Greek law before the competent court, a possibility which they should be encouraged to use. (1) OJ L 337, 24. 12. 1994. (2) OJ L 188, 16. 7. 1984