MEPs vote to extend coal aid until 2018

Vote goes against bid for early end to aid.

The European Parliament recommended on Tuesday (23 November) that the EU should continue to allow state subsidies to uncompetitive coal mines until the end of 2018.

MEPs voted 465 to 159, with 39 abstentions, to reject a European Commission plan that proposes aid should be stopped in 2014.

The Parliament resolution – which is non-binding – said the Commission’s plan would have “serious consequences” for some 100,000 mining jobs.

MEPs also urged that, ahead of the deadline, member states should be permitted to increase the aid given to mines, sufficient to cover the costs of research and investment in reducing emissions from hard coal.

Germany, Poland, Spain and other member states with numerous coal mines oppose the Commission’s proposal. The Parliament’s vote reflects a German government plan to continue subsidies to coal mines until 2018.

The Council of Ministers is to decide on its position on 10 December. A decision is needed over the coming weeks as the current rules expire at the end of this year.

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