In a written answer on 13 July 2026, Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall cautioned that artificially splitting a unitary infrastructure project into smaller parts to circumvent environmental assessment requirements is incompatible with EU law, responding to a parliamentary question by MEP Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE) about the Escatrón-La Secuita very high voltage power line.
The Commissioner reaffirmed that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive and the Habitats Directive require integrated assessment of cumulative and synergistic effects, citing consistent case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union. However, the answer contained no concrete commitment to investigate the specific Spanish project, instead emphasising that Member States bear primary responsibility for correct implementation and that national legal remedies are the most effective means to address individual cases of non-compliance. The Commission's stance signals a preference for strategic enforcement focused on systemic issues rather than case-by-case intervention, leaving affected municipalities, landowners, and environmental stakeholders to pursue national redress. The answer provides declaratory support for integrated assessment but offers no immediate EU-level action, placing the burden on Spanish authorities and courts to ensure compliance.