The first version of the Methane Act included records which were peculiarly unfavourable to Polish mining. The European Commission proposed to reduce methane emissions to 0.5 tonnes per kilotonne of coal mined. The Polish coalition of MPs, regardless of organization affiliation, argued that specified a limit could lead to a financial crisis of the mine.
Mining expert Jerzy Markowski beats the alarm. The methane regulation is the end of Polish mining. pic.twitter.com/qdgRVQnXjo
— Tarnogorski.info (@TGtarnogorski) March 3, 2023
During the negotiations in the European Parliament, it was established to increase this limit to 5 tonnes of methane per kiloton of coal produced. In addition, it was decided that this limit would apply to the operator if 1 company manages multiple mines.
Decision favourable to all
There was an agreement between the EP and the Council on this last November. On Thursday, this agreement was supported by manufacture and environment committees by a majority of 91 votes in favour, with 10 “against” and 6 abstentions.
"In 1 regulation, we took care of 3 key issues. On the 1 hand, we have defended tens of thousands of jobs in dialog with the social side. Silesian mines will not be closed overnight, and specified a threat was real. On the another hand, we are taking concrete measures to reduce methane emissions, which are very harmful to the climate. And thirdly, we supply the mines with resources for this purpose, which should translate into greater safety for miners' work," commented Jerzy Buzek, MEP.
In his further statement, Buzek stressed that this is not the end of the case and now, especially for Jastrzębska Węglowa, it is crucial that the European Commission presents favourable solutions for the methane emanation limit for coke coal mines. He added that thanks to the efforts of his squad he managed to keep the peculiar position of EU critical natural material for coke coal. According to Buzek, this is an crucial task for a fresh word of office of the European Parliament, although the first steps have already been taken.
Various parties, akin views
The Euro MP for Law and Justice, Isabella Kloc, besides expressed her satisfaction with the result of the negotiations. She stressed that she was the only typical of advanced Silesia to participate in these negotiations in the European Parliament and that she was aware of the tenfold increase in emanation standards initially proposed by the European Commission. Kloc acknowledges the compromise reached as a success that will let coal extraction to proceed in Poland.
The Euro MP of the fresh Left, Luke Kuhut, pointed out that transformation is necessary, but should not take place at the expense of people and jobs. He stressed the request for transformation in accordance with the social agreement. He besides mentioned the period before reaching the authority of the coalition on 15 October in Poland. "Before the coalition came to power in Poland on 15 October, its representatives watched over Silesian matters in Europe. Together with prof. Buzek and MEP Jarubas, we have done everything we can. Together with the German Social Democrats and the Polish trade unions, we changed the harmful proposal" - he explained.
Kuhut stressed that the final phase of the work would be the vote of the full European Parliament, scheduled for February. He added that the precedence now is the issue of notification of the social agreement, and his function as a Euro MP is to monitor crucial issues for the Brussels region.
❗ An crucial compromise for Silesia was accepted in Brussels. Committees of Europe #ITRE and #ENVI for the revised methane regulation.
Energy transformation is needed, but not at the expense of people and jobs. @PGG_SA@jsw_sapic.twitter.com/X98DK2d4pS
— Łukasz Kohut 🇪🇺 (@LukaszKohut) January 11, 2024
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