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Parliamentary question - E-007459/2015Parliamentary question
E-007459/2015

Romania, the sixth industrial polluter in the EU

Question for written answer E-007459-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Daniel Buda (PPE)

According to a report published by the European Environment Agency in 2010, Romania is the sixth industrial polluter in the European Union, in the context in which the greatest threat for the environment and health in Europe is exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10). A series of emissions, such as dust, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides are released into the air by coal-based thermal power plants. Health costs caused by coal-based thermal plants are often indirect and hidden, and include damages to agriculture, health costs, certain environmental costs etc. The energy sector was responsible for 80% of these damages.

In Romania, the number of deaths caused by thermal power plants exceeds that of victims of road accidents. Fossil fuels belong to the past and should be left there. There are alternative solutions, and by 2050 Romania will be able to cover 84% of its own energy needs from renewable sources. This estimation was conducted using the technology available at present.

What mechanisms does the Commission have available for the support and development of sources of energy obtained by methods that do not use natural resources or which do not have a negative impact on the environment?