Regulations passed in the EP. Poles are happy. “We got it! A good compromise for Polish mines and climate”

It is about a draft of the “methane regulation”, ie the first EU-wide regulations aimed at limiting methane emissions from the oil, fossil gas and coal sectors, as well as from biomethane pumped into the gas network. The European Parliament adopted on Tuesday [9.5.2023] position on this matter, on which MEPs will base their negotiations with the Council of the EU (ministers of EU countries) as to the final shape of this reform. Methane is one of the main greenhouse gases, responsible for one-third of global warming, which is why the “methane regulation” is part of the Fit-for-55 package.

The exploitation of a large part of Polish hard coal deposits is accompanied – due to the geological specificity – by high methane emissions. The first draft of the “methane regulation” in the original form submitted by the European Commission was accompanied in Poland by threats of “Brussels closing Polish mines” due to penalties for emissions or exceptionally high costs of methane capture. However, the shape of the project, which has now been adopted by the European Parliament, is considered tolerable by both PiS MEPs and the Polish opposition. – I would like to thank the Polish MEPs and the social side for their hard work for Polish interests! – wrote Minister Anna Moscow today.

In particular, PiS, PO and PSL deputies closely cooperated in pushing through amendments tailored to Polish mines.

– For Upper Silesia, which is a litmus test for the success of the Green Deal, this is a fundamental issue, also for economic and social reasons. I am glad that we managed to find a compromise that gives Polish mines more breathing room. Let’s vote in the spirit of EU solidarity, urged Izabela Kloc (PiS) during the debate preceding the vote. In turn, Jerzy Buzek (PO) argued that it was possible to ensure a “gradual” withdrawal from harmful methane emissions, which is “key, because it is about jobs and the positive attitude of EU citizens to our activities.” Today, 499 MEPs voted for the compromise version of the methane regulation, 73 were against and 55 abstained.

Compromise “good for Polish mines”

– We have it! Methane compromise, good for Polish mines and climate, adopted in a vote at the plenary session of the European Parliament! Now is the time to negotiate with the Council. May these good solutions be maintained! Meanwhile, the government must accelerate with the green transformation. There is no turning back from it! – commented Buzek on Twitter after the vote.

Key amendments from Poland’s point of view adopted by MEPs are five tons of methane emissions per 1,000 tons of mined coal as the permissible level from 2027, and four years later it will be three tons of methane per 1,000 tons of mined coal. However, the original proposal of the European Commission provided for the permissible emission of only half a ton of methane per 1000 tons of coal. In addition, emissions are to be calculated not at the level of individual mines, but at the level of the operator, which will allow companies with more mines to average emissions. And fees for exceeding methane limits could be spent on investments capturing methane in mines. In turn, coking coal, crucial for Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa, will not be subject to methane limits for the time being. The European Parliament proposes that the European Commission return to the issue of coking coal in three years.

Since imports from outside the EU account for over 80% of of oil and gas consumed in the EU, MEPs want from 2026 also importers of coal, oil and gas to be obliged to demonstrate that the imported fossil energy meets the requirements of the methane regulation. Imports from countries with similar requirements for methane emissions are to be exempted from this reporting obligation. The EU has signed a global commitment to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030. compared to the 2020 level.

– Today’s vote is a commitment to better climate protection and achieving energy sovereignty in Europe. Without ambitious measures to reduce methane emissions, Europe will not achieve its climate goals, and valuable energy will continue to be wasted, commented the German green Jutta Paulus, who was leading this topic in the European Parliament.

Consent to increase expenses when closing mines

The European Commission last week approved changes to the Polish program to support the closure of unprofitable mines, which was originally agreed with Brussels in 2016. The main changes are the extension of this program by four years, i.e. until the end of 2027, the increase in its budget by PLN 1 billion, i.e. to five billion, and the inclusion of two additional mines in the program (Ruch Jastrzębie III and Ruch Pokoje II).

From 2019, the purpose of this Polish program was limited to covering only exceptional social and environmental costs resulting from the closure of uncompetitive mines, such as the costs of social benefits or early retirement, or costs incurred in connection with security or site closure and reclamation.