MEP Gaetano Pedulla' (The Left) has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission on 7 May 2026, raising concerns about the Genoa new dam project funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (NRRF) with approximately EUR 1.5 billion. Pedulla' questions whether the project's decision to proceed despite incomplete foundation stability tests violates EU safety and environmental standards, and whether the refusal to disclose monitoring data breaches EU transparency law.
The question follows reports that piezometer tests at 50 metres depth failed due to water pressure, preventing confirmation that the seabed can support the dam. The Extraordinary Commissioner accepted the risk, opting to rely on real-world data during construction rather than preventive testing. Pedulla' argues this may conflict with the 'Do No Significant Harm' (DNSH) principle under Regulation (EU) 2021/241 and Directive 2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information.
Policy orientation and concrete asks Pedulla' asks the Commission three specific questions: whether proceeding without valid test results complies with RRF technical safety standards; what measures the Commission will take to verify if the accepted risk violates the DNSH principle by compromising long-term stability and harming the local environment; and whether the secrecy around monitoring data is compatible with EU transparency and reporting requirements.
The question does not set numerical targets or deadlines but demands a clear legal assessment. It targets the Commission's oversight role in ensuring NRRF-funded projects meet EU standards.
Expected follow-up The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it views the project's risk acceptance as permissible under EU law or whether it will require corrective measures, potentially affecting project timelines and public accountability. The response will also clarify the scope of transparency obligations for large infrastructure projects under the RRF.
Stakeholder impacts If the Commission finds non-compliance, the project could face delays or funding conditions, impacting the Italian government and the Extraordinary Commissioner's management. Local residents and environmental groups would benefit from increased transparency and safety assurances. Conversely, project contractors and the construction industry could face additional costs and scrutiny. EU taxpayers, as funders, have a stake in ensuring the project meets the DNSH principle and delivers value for money.
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