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EU Parl Watch

Adopted text, 10 April 2024

Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector

Document TA-9-2024-0190 · P9_TA(2024)0190 · PE736.476

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AI:In short

Parliament's position on a proposed regulation to reduce methane emissions in the energy sector, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942. It sets rules on measurement, reporting and verification of methane emissions, leak detection and repair, and restrictions on venting and flaring. It requires operators to measure and report emissions, detect and repair leaks, and bans routine venting and flaring except in defined cases. It also covers methane emissions from imported energy.

Key points

  1. The text is Parliament's first-reading position on a regulation on methane emissions reduction in the energy sector, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942.
  2. It lays down rules on measurement, reporting and verification of methane emissions in the energy sector.
  3. It requires leak detection and repair to find and fix methane leaks.
  4. It restricts venting and flaring of methane, banning routine venting and flaring except in defined cases.
  5. It includes rules on methane emissions from imported energy.
  6. Parliament calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal.

Who is affected

  • Operators in the energy sector, who must measure, report and verify methane emissions and detect and repair leaks.
  • Importers of energy, who face rules on methane emissions from imported energy.

Legal basis. Article 294(2) and Article 194(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

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Full text

Text 22 paragraphs

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

European Parliament legislative resolution of 10 April 2024 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on methane emissions reduction in the energy sector and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942 (COM(2021)0805 – C9-0467/2021 – 2021/0423(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2021)0805),

–having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 194(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C90467/2021),

–having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs on the proposed legal basis,

–having regard to Article 294(3) and Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–having regard to the reasoned opinion submitted, within the framework of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, by the Czech Chamber of Deputies, asserting that the draft legislative act does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity,

–having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 19 May 2022,

–having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 12 October 2022,

–having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committees responsible under Rule 74(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 15 March 2024 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Read the rest (10 paragraphs)

–having regard to Rules 59 and 40 of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to the joint deliberations of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure;

–having regard to the letter from the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development,

–having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A9-0162/2023),

1.Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

3.Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

P9_TC1-COD(2021)0423

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 10 April 2024 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/… of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1787.)