Commissioner for Energy Jørgens, in a written answer on 22 June 2026, dismissed the idea of reconsidering EU coal mining policies, arguing that the current energy crisis underscores the need to accelerate the clean energy transition rather than revert to coal. The answer impacts coal-dependent regions, workers, and EU climate goals.
The answer responds to a parliamentary question from Romanian MEP Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE), submitted on 25 March 2026, who cited protests by over a thousand miners in Bucharest against the closure of coal production facilities on 1 April 2026. Bogdan asked what mechanisms exist to mitigate the impact of mine closures and whether the Commission is considering a rethink of European mining policies, noting that Romania's commitment to close coal mines by 2030 under its Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) was made before the current energy crisis.
Jørgens' answer contains no concrete new proposals or numerical targets beyond reiterating existing funding instruments. He lists available EU support: the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) mobilising around EUR 55 billion, with Romania as the third largest recipient of the Just Transition Fund (EUR 2.14 billion); access to 191,705,876 ETS allowances from the Modernisation Fund; EUR 13.6 billion in RRF grants; EUR 24.8 billion from the European Regional Development Fund; and EUR 8.5 billion for energy transition and clean industries. He also mentions the Coal Regions in Transition Initiative and the TARGET technical assistance programme managed by the European Investment Bank.
The policy orientation is firmly against any return to coal. Jørgens states that the current imported fossil energy crisis highlights the need to stay the course and even accelerate the clean energy transition to ensure energy security, stable prices, and an independent competitive EU.
The Commission is unlikely to propose any legislative changes to coal phase-out timelines. Future policy signals will likely focus on accelerating renewables and energy efficiency, with continued reliance on existing funds for just transition measures. No specific timeline for further action was given.