WRITTEN QUESTION E-1095/00 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Aboño thermal power station (Asturias).
C 235 E/2 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 8. 2001 (2001/C 235 E/002) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1095/00 by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Aboæo thermal power station (Asturias) (7 April 2000) The residents of Pervera (Carreæo, Asturias) are inconvenienced on a daily basis by local industry. Several days ago the Aboæo thermal power station emitted a large cloud of ash, but incredibly, the firmís management refused to provide information concerning the cause and nature of the cloud to those affected by the incident. Can the Commission check whether this power station complies with Community environmental legisla- tion, particularly Directive 88/609, which sets limits for emissions into the air by large combustion plants? What action can the Commission take vis-à-vis the competent authorities to ensure that this firm adopts the measures necessary to guarantee a decent quality of life for the residents and protection of the environment? Supplementary answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (3 April 2001) The power station concerned is classified as an áexisting plantí in accordance with Article 2(7) of Directive 88/609/EEC of 24 November 1988 on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants (1). For this category of plants the Directive does not set emission limit values. Instead the Directive contains obligations in the form of ceilings and reduction targets for emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from this category of plants at the level of the Member State. On the basis of reports communicated by Spain emissions from this category plants are in compliance with the requirements of emission ceilings and targets contained in Annex I and II of the Directive. The Commission requested data on air quality from the monitoring network in the region surrounding the power station at Abıno. On the basis of the information received there is no evident breach of the air quality standards laid down in Council Directive 80/779/EEC of 15 July 1980 on air quality limit values and guide values for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates (2). For the purpose of verifying compliance with Council Directive 84/360/EEC of 28 June 1984 on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants (3), additional information concerning the technical characteristics of the power plant at Abıno is required. The Commission will pursue this matter further with the Spanish authorities. (1) OJ L 336, 7. 12. 1988. (2) OJ L 229, 30. 8. 1980. (3) OJ L 188, 16. 7. 1984. (2001/C 235 E/003) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1877/00 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (9 June 2000) Subject: Progress on the Attica highway and the Athens suburban railway The Attica highway, known as the Elefsina ü Stavrou ü Spata Airport freeway, is a major project which is closely associated with the operation of the new airport in Spata and the 2004 Olympic Games. The original budget of this project was GRD 450 billion, and it was due to be completed and gradually handed