European Parliament Supports Compromise on Methane Regulation Benefiting Polish Mines
On Tuesday the European Parliament backed compromise amendments to the methane regulation, signaling a shift that could ease pressures on Polish coal operations. A key participant, MEP Izabela Kloc, highlighted that this approach prioritizes pragmatic reasoning over rigid ideology within this influential European body, noting the development after a lengthy debate.
The regulation proposal aims to dramatically cut methane emissions from mining activities. Achieving these reductions will require substantial investment in capture and control technologies. Critics, including a cross-party group of Polish MEPs, argued that the emission limits embedded in the draft could threaten the solvency of some mines. These concerns were countered by left-leaning groups in the Parliament, with limited opposition from a few Social Democrats.
Amendments by Kloc and Zalewska
The European Commission had proposed a cap of 0.5 tonnes of methane per kiloton of coal mined. During negotiations, MEPs Izabela Kloc and Anna Zalewska tabled several mitigating amendments. The negotiated result raised the limit to 5 tonnes of methane per kiloton of coal extracted and applied this threshold to the operator when multiple mines are controlled by a single entity.
In Tuesday’s vote, these amendments secured a clear majority.
When the methane regulation was voted on, the Parliament endorsed a compromise that favored Polish mines. The outcome appeared to stand in contrast to long-standing EU expectations, suggesting a moment where reason outweighed ideological positions within what is regarded as a very reform-driven institution. Observers described the development as a notable turn in the EU approach to mining policy, with Polish interests seemingly advancing on the Rhine-inspired stage.
Following the vote, Kloc spoke to reporters, highlighting the significance of the revised framework for Poland’s mining sector.
The amendments also replaced sanctions for breaching the provisions with fees that flow into the member state’s budget and are subsequently redirected to the mines to fund technology aimed at reducing methane emissions.
The vote in the European Parliament grants a negotiating mandate to discuss the final form of the regulation with the EU Council.
The Parliament voted on methane measures and, through the joint efforts of Polish MEPs from various groups, a positive outcome was achieved. The news from Silesia was presented as a signal that Polish mines can operate with greater stability.
The development was echoed in social media, with messages indicating successful progress on the methane initiative and the broader implications for Polish mining operations.
For some MEPs from Poland, the result was framed as a decisive step toward protecting the country’s mining industry, with emphasis on preserving operational capacity rather than pursuing a punitive stance against mining interests.
In the days that followed, discussions continued about the practical impact of the compromise on emissions limits, and how the new regime will be implemented at the national level to support ongoing investment in cleaner mining technologies.
Additional statements from Polish representatives highlighted a collective achievement in aligning EU policy with national mining needs, while acknowledging that further work remains to finalize the regulatory framework in Brussels.
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Source: wPolityce