Today in Brussels, during a meeting of the Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE), an exchange of views took place with Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Minister of Climate and Environment, and Marzena Czarnecka, Minister of Industry, on the priorities of the Polish Presidency in the area of energy security. PiS MEPs Daniel Obajtek and Beata Szydło spoke during the discussion.
Daniel Obajtek urged that “presidencies not be reduced merely to a large number of events and fine words,” but rather focus on concrete actions. In this regard, he posed specific questions. “Does the Polish presidency support the suspension and reform of the ETS?” the MEP asked, arguing that this is necessary in light of the EU’s loss of competitiveness amid the manipulation of CO2 allowances by other economies.
The Polish politician said that he had recently submitted a proposal regarding the ETS, suggesting the creation of an effective support model for industry that “will ensure a very rapid process of implementing investments and carrying out the transition.” He explained that companies would be able to choose between purchasing CO2 emission allowances and investing an equivalent amount in clean technologies.
The next question concerned whether Poland had withdrawn the complaints filed by the Law and Justice (PiS) government with the CJEU regarding ETS-2, specifically concerning internal combustion engine vehicles, the use of traditional fireplaces, and the requirement for farmers to reforest their fields.
The PiS MEP also inquired about the government’s Polish Energy Policy and the National Energy and Climate Plan. As he noted, during the Law and Justice government’s tenure, discussions on this matter were held in collaboration with civil society, resulting in the adoption of these two documents. “Have you changed this? In what direction is it heading? What about the phase-out of coal mines? In what direction are you planning to phase out the baseload power plants that will maintain the system’s balance? What about Russian oil flowing toward Germany via the “Družba” pipeline? And what about purchasing gas, for example from France, and transmitting it via interconnectors to Germany and Spain?” Obajtek asked. The MEP wanted to know whether the Polish presidency intends to monitor these issues.
Beata Szydło, referring to statements made by representatives of the Polish government, noted that both had stated that “they are awaiting specific acts and documents being prepared by the European Commission, and decisions will be made and details of actions presented in relation to them.” However, as the PiS MEP pointed out, the direction of the European Commission’s work is already known and is evident in the statements of both Commissioner Jørgensen and President von der Leyen. Szydło noted that there are constant announcements regarding the acceleration of the Green Deal’s implementation. “This harms the European economy, which is becoming increasingly less competitive, and above all, it affects the lives of Europeans, who are finding it increasingly difficult to pay their current bills. This, of course, also applies to entrepreneurs,” said the PiS MEP. In this context, the former prime minister asked whether, if the Commission were indeed to push for even greater acceleration, the Polish presidency would firmly reject those measures “that simply harm the European economy, including the Polish economy.” Beata Szydło also referred to a statement by Minister Czarnecka, who said that she is “currently working on a strategy to phase out fossil fuels.” “Such a strategy had already been developed by the previous government, so what exactly is this work about? Is it about accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels? And if so, how will this be reconciled with the interests of the Polish economy?” Szydło asked.
