National Allocation Plans - Mrs. Wallstroem Prepares Infringement Proceedings

On May 18, 2004, the EU Commissioner Margot Wallstroem gave a report about the status of submission of the National Allocation Plans to the EU Commission in a press briefing. At that date nine EU 15 members and three EU 10 members (new members) submitted their final National Allocation Plans to the Commission. The NAPs from France, Spain and Greece are missing yet; Portugal, Belgium and Italy submitted draft NAPs, only. Out of the new member states, Slovenia, Lithuania and Slovakia provided final NAPs, Latvia and Estonia submitted drafts. Mrs. Wallstroem announced that she has decided to begin preparations for infringement proceedings against those EU 15 member states, which have not yet submitted their plans. The examination of the submitted plans is going on.

In the press briefing Mrs. Wallstroem expressed her disappointment that the member states are planning to issue too many emission allowances. In consequence this would not give enough incentive to change anything. As an indication for this she mentioned the fact that the market price of allowances has fallen from 13 Euro in January to 7 Euro now. Furthermore, she notices that the review of the NAPs has shown that they are incomplete. In addition, some differences exist between member states on which installations are covered by the Directive. Mrs. Wallstroem expresses her confidence that the EU is ready to start the emission trading system on time in January 2005.

Further information: Dr. W. vom Berg, phone: +49-201-8128-275

mailto:wolfgang.vomberg@vgb.org