WRITTEN QUESTION E-0165/00 by Rosa Díez González (PSE), Fernando Pérez Royo (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. Monitoring of state aid to the Spanish electricity sector.
C 330 E/96 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 The common position lays down criteria following which Member States may extend the implementation period, and in certain cases set lower environmental objectives. These are, among others, unforeseen and extraordinary droughts, and flooding or regeneration of groundwater, which often for natural reasons will exceed the period laid down by the proposal. The first reading of Parliament and the recently adopted amendments of the environment committee suggest a strengthening of the criteria. The Commissionís evaluation of the consequences of implementation were presented in the explanatory memorandum to the original proposal. Council and Parliament have not commented on this evaluation in their respective readings of the proposal. (1) OJ C 343, 30. 11. 1999. (2) OJ C 184, 17. 6. 1997. (3) COM(2000) 1 final. (4) OJ C 342 E, 30. 11. 1999. (2000/C 330 E/105) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0165/00 by Rosa Díez GonzÆlez (PSE), Fernando PØrez Royo (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission (31 January 2000) Subject: Monitoring of state aid to the Spanish electricity sector With reference to the state aid for competition transition costs given to the Spanish electricity sector, and bearing in mind that Commissioner Monti has recognised that the sixth transitional provision of Law 54/97 on the Spanish electricity sector is a state aid which was granted without prior notification of the Commission, what view will the Commission take of the amounts already received by Spanish electricity companies when it comes to take a decision on this matter pursuant to Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (9 March 2000) In accordance with the Courtís case law, the unlawful nature of a state aid measure, i. e. the fact that the aid was granted without prior notification to the Commission, does not prejudge its compatibility with the common market. The amounts already received will, therefore, be examined on the basis of the EC Treaty articles to determine whether they are compatible with the common market and whether they will have to be repaid. (2000/C 330 E/106) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0167/00 by Rosa Díez GonzÆlez (PSE), Fernando PØrez Royo (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission (31 January 2000) Subject: Competition transition costs (CTC) and market variables for the Spanish electricity sector Bearing in mind the funding system introduced by the sixth transitional provision of Law 54/97 on the Spanish electricity sector enabling electricity companies to receive aid to cover competition transition costs, has the Commission urged the Spanish government to amend this provision and link the granting of CTC to market variables (demand, price, interest rates, etc. ), as the Commission advocated in its analysis methodology for state aid linked to CTC?