This document gives the opinion of the ECSC Consultative Committee on the
Commission's proposal for state aid to the coal industry. The Committee
agrees in principle with the Commission's approach of determining the
future role of coal and the issue of aid to the coal industry after the
expiry of the ECSC Treaty as part of a strategy on the security of energy
supply. On the details of the proposal, it identifies the main concerns:
-the Committee questions whether it is satisfactory that a scheme which is
intended to apply until 2010 only makes specific provisions until 2007 and
makes plans for a review covering the remaining period, which may entail
quite different provisions, thus clouding the future outlook. The scheme
should apply right through until at least 2010.
-it questions the reallocation of coal aid to renewable energy sources. In
the Committee's view, it is desirable that the new scheme make it possible
for the Member States to strive for the long-term goal of a stable minimum
output of indigenous coal which allows continued access to substantial
deposits, thus ensuring the preservation of the infrastructure in working
order, skilled core workforce and technological knowhow required for this
purpose. The reduction of aid should only proceed to the point at which
this minimum level is reached.
-the social and regional consequences of further adaptations must be given
consideration. Aid for reduction of activity should be limited to the
period upto 2007 only insofar as it concerns measures decided upon within
the framework of Decision 3632/93/ECSC.
-the Commission admits to a fairly vague and thus very broad margin of
discretion, particularly in assessing aid to secure resources or the
underlying plans for such aid. More stringent assessment and authorization
criteria are required. The proposal contains examples of disproportionate
requirements, such as providing data on each and every production unit in a
coal enterprise or asking Member States to supply all the information
regarding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
-there is no reason to change the procedural rules which have been tried
and tested within the ECSC framework and comply with Community law. There
is a need to amend the deadlines for the notification, examination and
authorization procedure so that the Commission can reach timely decisions.