WRITTEN QUESTION E-0265/00 by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Commission. Observatory for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation.
C 374 E/50 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 28. 12. 2000 Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (7 March 2000) The Commission is currently not undertaking any work on so-called álight pollutioní around large cities in the Community. Insofar as álight pollutioní is a problem, solutions need to take into account other factors such as safety and security. This could best be done at the local level given differing circumstances in line with the principle of subsidiarity. The Commission is very much aware that the wasteful and inefficient use of energy for lighting, including public lighting, and the associated greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production and use of this energy from fossil fuels can contribute to global warming. In the framework of the SAVE programme the Commission has taken a number of initiatives to promote more energy efficient lighting technologies and reduced energy use for lighting in buildings. These initiatives range from minimum efficiency standards for ballasts for fluorescent lighting to voluntary programmes such as the Greenlight programme aimed at encouraging public and private companies to install energy efficient lighting technologies. In many of these initiatives the Commission is working closely with national energy agencies which can provide appropriate technical support. Technologies are also being developed by European industry for public lighting that can reduce considerably the amount of energy used by such installations. To stimulate the market for these technologies, the Commission has recently issued a mandate to the European standardisation bodies. (2000/C 374 E/058) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0265/00 by Isidoro SÆnchez García (ELDR) to the Commission (7 February 2000) Subject: Observatory for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation In the Commissionís Communication to the European Parliament on guidelines for a Community Initiative concerning trans-European cooperation intended to encourage harmonious and balanced development of the European territory (Interreg), mention is made of an Observatory for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation. On the basis of their socio-economic characteristics and their geo-strategic situation as a remote region in the Atlantic, what chances to the Canary Islands have of being selected as the site for the Observatory? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (24 March 2000) The Commission has not yet taken a decision regarding the location of the future Observatory for cross- border, transnational and interregional cooperation. However, it ought to be pointed out that this will not be a body of any significant size whose headquarters site would require discussion at all. (2000/C 374 E/059) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0280/00 by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission (3 February 2000) Subject: Directive on renewable energy The Commission has repeatedly failed to submit a proposal for a directive on access for producers of renewable energy to the internal market in electricity, since no dialogue has been entered into with the