Four MEPs from The Left group have asked the European Commission whether Italy's authorisation of an LNG depot in the port of Brindisi without an environmental impact assessment (EIA) complies with EU law. The written question, submitted on 8 April 2026, also challenges the failure to assess domino effects from nearby major-accident-risk plants under the Seveso III Directive.
The project, developed by Edison SpA, was approved by Italian ministerial decree in August 2022 without an EIA. The MEPs argue that the depot's planned bidirectional connection to methane pipelines qualifies it as a regasification terminal, which would require an EIA under EU Directive 2011/92/EU as transposed into national law. They cite a 2023 ministerial opinion that a similar plant in Oristano needed an EIA.
Concrete asks and policy direction
The question contains two specific legal queries: whether the lack of EIA breaches EU environmental assessment rules, and whether ignoring domino effects violates Directive 2012/18/EU on major accident hazards. The MEPs seek clarity on the Commission's interpretation of the relevant directives, signalling a push for stricter enforcement of environmental safeguards in energy infrastructure projects.
Expected follow-up
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it views the Italian authorisation as compliant or potentially in breach of EU law, which could influence future permitting of similar LNG terminals across the bloc.