EU Commission Executive Vice-President Fitto has clarified that the EU currently holds limited authority over the maintenance and safety of publicly funded dams in Spain, following a parliamentary question by PPE MEP Dolors Montserrat. Montserrat raised alarms about nearly 1,300 large dams, some 60 years old, citing technical reports revealing maintenance issues and safety risks. This clarification will resonate deeply with stakeholders including Spanish authorities, EU taxpayers, environmentalists, and public safety advocates — all with vested interests in dam safety and EU fund accountability.
Montserrat's parliamentary question, posed under Rule 144, sought to understand whether the Commission assessed the condition of EU-funded Spanish dams and whether independent audits would be mandated in cases of maintenance failures.
Fitto's response highlighted that dam safety is primarily a national responsibility, as the EU lacks specific maintenance and safety requirements for dams. While the Spanish Recovery and Resilience Plan includes a milestone focusing on preserving dam safety (Milestone 428 under Component 5), the EU Commission has yet to assess its fulfillment. Additionally, for projects financed under cohesion policy funds, the Commission relies on ex ante and ex post controls, audits, and monitoring to ensure funds are used in compliance with EU laws.
The policy direction preserves national sovereignty over dam safety regulation while maintaining EU-level financial oversight through monitoring and audit mechanisms. The approach avoids extending direct EU regulatory powers on dam safety to member states.
For Spanish authorities and dam operators, the Commission's stance means continued national control, which may be welcomed as less burdensome. Public safety advocates might favor stronger EU oversight to prevent potential risks. EU taxpayers and environmental NGOs will watch closely how well Spanish plans meet safety milestones, balancing financial interests with environmental protection and public security.
The Commission's written reply provides a crucial signal to Parliament and stakeholders about the demarcation of responsibilities and forthcoming evaluations tied to Spain's payment requests, indicating institutional follow-up within the EU's funding oversight framework.