Tom BERENDSEN

Policy topics Tom BERENDSEN is active on

What Tom BERENDSEN has said (28)

• 2025-07-23 “P-003051/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission The EU legislation 1 mentioned by the Honourable Member already allows exemptions from some provisions concerning environmental assessments, which may be used for the mentioned projects if they fulfil the conditions therein. That legislation also provides flexibility to Member States to organise and structure their permitting procedures, including the environmental assessments procedures, where required, and to adapt them to the national specificities and the projects concerned. The Commission plans to put forward a legislative proposal for an Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act in the fourth quarter of 2025, as announced in the Clean Industrial Deal 2 and in the Commission Work Programme for 2025 3 . The Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act will propose measures to streamline and speed up the permitting procedures for industrial decarbonisation projects for energy-intensive industries. Permitting challenges relating to environment assessments will be addressed in the environmental omnibus in the fourth quarter of 2025. As the analysis of potential options is ongoing, the Commission is unable to provide further details on what will be included in the legislative proposals. The European Grids Package aims to improve the planning of infrastructure projects and accelerate the implementation of infrastructure renewables and storage projects. In this regard it aims to further accelerate and streamline permit granting procedures and their intermediary steps. The Commission is analysing possible options in the ongoing Impact Assessment; further details will be included in the legislative proposal. A proposal on the European Grids Package is also expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. 1 Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7–50), Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7– 25) and Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1–21, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014, OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1–18). 2 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20250616STO28968/clean-industrial-deal-supporting-euindustry-s-transformation. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/strategy-documents/commission-workprogramme/commission-work-programme-2025_en.”
  EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects · Industrial emissions directive (IED)
• 2025-07-02 “E-002712/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission Member States must annually report in detail on ongoing CO 2 capture, storage and transport projects within their territories, alongside the corresponding needs for injection and storage capacities 1 . In line with Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 2 , from 2026 onwards, compliance plans submitted by the obligated entities to the Commission will also become public. Transparency on those reports will be important information for industry to take investment decisions regarding the capture of CO 2 , but also for the planning of the transport infrastructures. On this basis, each year, the Commission will also assess the progress in demand for CO 2 storage capacity and other related projects with a first report scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. By 31 December 2028 the Commission shall, on the basis of the reports, assess the relationship between the demand for injection capacity from CO 2 capture projects and the main infrastructure needed for the transport of CO 2 in progress or planned to be operational by 2030 and the sum of the individual contributions of the entities in relation to the production activities on the territory of a given Member State. In addition, the Commission is preparing a proposal for a regulatory framework that will address the market and regulatory barriers for the deployment of CO 2 transport infrastructures and storage sites. Finally, the integration of the European Economic Area (EEA) will be determined in the process of incorporating Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 into the EEA agreement considering the EEA relevance of the legislation. 1 Published here:https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/industrial-carbon-management/eus-2030-carbon-storagetarget_en#member-states-reports-under-article-21-of-the-nzia-regulation. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1735/oj/eng.”
  Carbon capture storage and utilisation
• 2025-05-27 “E-002111/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The Commission shares the concern about the misuse of powerful fireworks, notably of professional fireworks of category F4. These fireworks should not be accessible to the general public and criminals. On the basis of the results of the Commission’s evaluation of Directive 2013/29/EU 1 , which will be published in the near future, the Commission will consider any follow-up measures, including a revision of the Directive, to address the identified problems. Diversion of F4 fireworks from the legal market often happens at the points of sale, because some distributors do not adequately verify if their customers have the required specialist knowledge to acquire such articles 2 . Hence, Member States should more strictly enforce the obligation to check specialist knowledge. The Commission has also consulted the Commission Expert Group on pyrotechnic articles on the idea of harmonising market surveillance action in this regard under Article 11(4) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 3 and is currently assessing the feedback received. Moreover, the Commission is carrying out a study on the criminal misuse of pyrotechnic articles which aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the security issues related to pyrotechnic articles. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32013L0029. 2 See Study on illegal sales of pyrotechnic articles destined for professional users (category F4) to the general public, 2019, https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/a577ac1a-714b-11e9-9f05-01aa75ed71a1. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R1020-20240523.”
  Privacy & law enforcement · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2025-05-02 “P-001790/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Ribera on behalf of the European Commission 1. In 2014, the Commission approved aid to Apollo Tyres on the basis of State aid rules applicable at the time. In 2020, the Commission approved State aid schemes related to COVID-19 measures, based on which Hungary granted aid to Apollo Tyres to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy and to partially compensate the company for losses suffered because of the lockdown measures introduced by the Hungarian government. The Commission does not have any indication that either the 2014 aid measure or the 2020 schemes were not implemented in line with those decisions. 2. Current State aid rules, where relevant, already include strict anti-relocation safeguards. The Commission does not consider that there is a need to review those provisions. They ensure that State aid cannot be used in a way that would encourage or facilitate the relocation of services or production to another Member State. 3. The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) can be used to support affected workers by funding reintegration pathways, training, and guidance. The ESF+ already supports Twente as one of the 35 Dutch Labour Market Regions. The Netherlands can also apply for one-off re-active assistance from EGF when redundancies cannot be avoided to finance labour market policy measures. More generally, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) contributes to enhancing competitiveness of the East Netherlands regional economy through smart and green innovation, including for energy transition and circularity, transition to clean industries, skills for the green transition and access to employment in clean and resource-efficient technologies.”
  State Aid
• 2025-03-17 “E-001123/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission Parking policy and enforcement is primarily a municipal matter falling under Member States’ competence. Technical barriers to be addressed at national level in the future could include for example the use of the latest digital and technical interoperable solutions for parking to scan licence plates. As regards parking fees levied by city authorities, there is currently no EU legislation for the cross-border data transfer of vehicle- or vehicle holder-data to follow up parking offences, unless such offences constitute road safety related traffic offences (such as, dangerous parking). If so, Directive (EU)2015/413 as amended 1 will be applicable in the future and the EU-wide information exchange system (e.g. based on EUCARIS 2 ) will be available for cross-border data exchange for enforcement purposes. For parking fees levied by private companies, the European Small Claims Procedure 3 to collect unpaid fees may be used. Council Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties 4 can be applied in cross-border cases for non-payment of financial penalties in case its strict conditions are met. The procedure applies to all offences for which financial penalties can be imposed, including road traffic offences. The final decision imposing the financial penalty must be issued by a criminal court or an administrative authority. In the latter case the law has to provide for the person concerned the opportunity to have their case tried by a court having jurisdiction in particular in criminal matters 5 . Only the most severe parking offences (dangerous parking or stopping) meet these criteria. Member States can refuse to recognise and execute the decision, if the financial penalty is below EUR 70. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202403237. 2 https://www.eucaris.net/. 3 https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/dealing-with-customers/solving-disputes/european-small-claimsprocedure/index_en.htm. The procedure covers claims up to EUR 5 000 (excluding expenses) in any EU country except for Denmark. 4 OJ L 076 22.3.2005, p. 16. 5 See Article 1 (a) (ii) and (iv) of Council Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2025-02-17 “E-000714/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 1. Based on safety data available from occurrence reports submitted in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 376/2014 1 on the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation, there is no sufficient evidence that such an initiative would be warranted. This notwithstanding, the phenomenon of disruptive passenger behavior, whether pre-flight or during flight, is being monitored, and should evidence suggest otherwise, the Commission will assess the need to adjust its approach. 2. The Commission considers that the current requirements contained in its Air Operations Regulation 2 are adequate to address the safety risks associated with disruptive passengers. The captain may refuse to allow a person who appears to be disruptive to board when the safety of the aircraft or its occupants is likely to be endangered. Equally, a pilot in command must take all necessary measures to minimise the consequences on the flight of disruptive passenger behaviour. Additionally, cabin crew shall be trained on passenger handling and cabin surveillance, with advice on the recognition and management of disruptive passengers. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has issued a check list for cabin crew on how to deal with unruly passengers 3 . 1 Regulation (EU) No 376/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation, amending Regulation (EU) No 996/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Directive 2003/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulations (EC) No 1321/2007 and (EC) No 1330/2007 (Text with EEA relevance) OJ L 122, 24.4.2014, p. 18–43, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/376/oj 2 Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 of 5 October 2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 296, 25.10.2012, p. 1–148, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/965/oj 3 https://www.easa.europa.eu/community/system/files/2023-06/Fly%20Right%20This%20Summer%20%20Checklist%20on%20Handling%20Unruly%20Passengers.pdf”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• 2024-09-27 “E-001861/2024 Answer given by Ms Simson on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has been calling for ending Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports for a long time. Yet, the Member States so far have only agreed on a ban on trans-shipments in the 14 th sanctions package. Monthly imports of Russian LNG into the EU rose by an average of 0.2 billion cubic metres (bcm) between January and September 2024. The imports of Russian LNG to the Netherlands remain small. With 0.15-0.2 bcm per month, they represent less than 1% of EU gas imports. Regulation (EU) 2024/1789 1 allows Member States to protect their essential security interests by temporarily restricting LNG supplies from Russia and Belarus. Any practical implementation of this measure shall be subject to a case-by-case assessment, which includes the contractual framework of the targeted LNG supplies. The Commission remains available to advise Member States interested in making use of this option. The Commission is determined to fully implement the REPowerEU Plan. To accelerate this process, we are developing a roadmap on how the end of Russian energy imports could be best achieved. The Commission has already started discussions with the Member States to identify the challenges and map out avenues to address them. Any further sanctions on Russian LNG would need to be adopted by unanimity in the Council. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401789”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
• 2024-07-18 “E-001376/2024 Answer given by Ms Simson on behalf of the European Commission Russian gas imports did not rise over the period 2022-24. On an annual basis the EU has significantly reduced its imports of Russian gas from ca. 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) before 2021 and the beginning of the gas crisis, to 45 bcm in 2023 1 . The EU Energy Platform including its AggregateEU mechanism contributed to the security and diversification of gas supplies to the EU and Energy Community, and increased market transparency 2 . The expiry of the Russian gas transit agreement through Ukraine at the end of 2024 would contribute further to phasing out Russian fossil fuel dependence by halting imports via Ukraine. Demand reduction measures contributed to reducing the gas demand by 18% between August 2022 and May 2024. Unprecedented development of renewables has been achieved. Wind and solar capacity have increased by 36% between 2021 and 2023, saving the equivalent of 24 bcm gas over 2 years. The Commission continues to implement the REPowerEU plan 3 , including through limited financing to gas projects by the Connecting Europe Facility and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. New projects will help diversify supplies, such as the Adriatica Line, Gdansk LNG terminal and Gdańsk-Gustorzyn pipeline, the expansion of Krk LNG Terminal, Romanian Black Sea Gas exploitation or Trans-Balkan pipeline reverse flow, which the Commission has facilitated through the work of the CESEC High-Level Group. 1 To compensate, the EU replaced Russian gas supply with imports from other international suppliers. Norway and the United States became the EU's largest gas suppliers, representing 34% (47 bcm) and 18% (25 bcm), respectively of EU gas imports in the first five months of 2024, followed by North Africa, Azerbaijan and Qatar. 2 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-security/eu-energy-platform_en 3 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/repowereuaffordable-secure-and-sustainable-energy-europe_en”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Energy infrastructure is not in order. It's simply not there to make sure that these decarbonisation projects can fly. And because of investment decisions currently and the competitive landscape in Europe, these decarbonisation projects are coming to a standstill anyway. So we need to deliver there. Um, so currently we are in the process of enriching the text with all the good ideas of the colleagues, and I'm sure that we, uh, we find a way there. Um, and as long as a part of the house thinks I'm too negative, too pragmatic or too conservative, and another part of the house thinks I'm too green. I'm pretty sure we'll end up in the in the right direction. So I'm I'm looking forward to the cooperation with with the colleagues. Um, and I'm convinced that we can produce a resolution very soon that we, we can adopt with a broad majority. Thank you.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “But it's something that I mean, we're the highly how you say that in English, the highest density of of population, the second highest density population in Europe, which means that everything that has to do with spatial planning, with, with the fight for, for space occurs in the Netherlands first and then can occur in other countries as well. And we see, especially with the energy infrastructure projects in the construction phase, that they are delayed or they are blocked because of emission in the construction phase. While we all know that once that project is there, it will help us in the challenge, uh, that, uh, that we try to address with these, with these projects. Um, so I would like to know what is the line of reasoning now in the commission on that permitting and especially on the temporary exemption in, in the construction phase? Um, and I'm looking very much forward to the Christmas present. You're, you're going to present to us at the end of the year. And did I understand correctly that you're not only going to present the list, but also the revision of ten E, then in at the end of the year? Thank you.”
  EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
• “Thank you, Mr. President. There are 14,000, um. Major, uh, consumers who are waiting for connection, but they could be producing sustainably, but they can't get connected. Uh, the permitting procedures are contributing to these massive waiting times. They can take up to eight years, and yet we have enough affordable green energy available. If only we could connect it. This is crucial. Uh, we think that this proposal is a good step in the right direction. More European planning, more investment, and better distribution of costs for projects that several member states will profit from in the CDA. We are also happy that finally, our appeal has been heard to exempt people from these nitrogen requirements in sustainable construction projects. I mean, you can't just hold up a whole building project just because one of the machines involved is producing nitrogen, and we need to also invest in hydrogen infrastructure. Co2 structure and other future proof projects.”
  EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
• “Yes, thank you very much. Thank you for all the comments. By the by the colleagues. Um, I think we should simply realise that currently the energy price in Europe is two, three times higher than in the rest of the world and in some member states, including my own, because of national choices. It's even 2 or 3 times higher than in the rest of Europe, and it completely disturbs the level playing field, but also our competitive position. Um, and that needs to change because yes, we can be competitive even with a higher energy price, which we will always have in Europe. But then we need efficiency and efficiency. You find in industrial clusters that together, because they use each other's rest streams, they use each other heats, etc. they're very efficient and then we can be competitive. But at the moment what you see happening and people said it before, it's like a game of Jenga. We're pulling out one or 2 or 3 companies, factories are closing and at the moment we can still cope, but at some point it will collapse and it will hurt the competitiveness of all our industry. So my aim with, with the resolution is at the moment showing that, um, we, we want the industry to remain in Europe, that we want them to decarbonise and that we want them to be competitive and that a lot of is needed now and action is needed because over the last years we have put a lot in legislation about demanding things from them, but we didn't facilitate them.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “(17:57:25 – 18:00:15): Thank you, madam chair. Who who could be against cutting unnecessary red tape? Nobody. But at the same time, who could be against safeguarding citizens, including farmers and their families, and our environment for unnecessary hazardous substances. And I think that is the challenge that lies ahead of us to find the right balance in that. And, we all know that farmers have, the full right to use products to protect their crops from diseases. But at the moment, they are far too dependent on chemical products. And therefore, I'm, very much welcoming, the biocontrol part of the commission's proposal. We've not only asked for this last year in our parliament's resolution, but already years and years ago, we've asked for speeding up the procedures for, the approval of biocontrols. Nevertheless, I do have a question to the commission on that. The commission uses a very broad definition of biocontrols. And when I talk to experts, they are questioning, that broad definition. So my question to the commission is why this very broad definition? Then my second point, that's on the unlimited approvals of the chemical pesticides. We discussed it yesterday with commissioner Farheli, and he said that that would only apply to low risk pesticides, but not because there is a reassessment automatically, but he was talking about 2 categories and that new scientific evidence would force us to reassess. But here, again, I want to come with the discussions I had with experts. They are saying that science does not have the capacity to go through all the active substances in order to have the right reassessments in the end. So out of the 54 substances that were not reapproved in the last 15 years, 31 of those were not identified by independent science. They were only not approved because of the reassessments. So my question to the commission is, how can you be so confident that independent science will come up with sufficient evidence for these reassessments and that we, have the same safeguards as we have now? Or shouldn't we apply the precautionary system, principle as we have been doing so far? Thank you for your flexibility, Madam Chair.”
  EU policy on pesticides
• “And that's the big problem we see now, is that the investments in decarbonisation projects come to a standstill. They're cancelled or they're delayed. And those are the projects we need in Europe for our goals, but also because I sincerely believe that the economy of the future in Europe is decarbonised. I think it needs a reliable, reliable government. It needs a reliable framework. Predictability is important. I hear colleagues say that all the time. I completely agree. But the world around us is changing as well. And if you want to be reliable as government, reliable as policymakers, that also means that if reality changes, you need to be able to sit at the table with our industry to see how we can facilitate their transition pathways. That is currently lacking. And therefore, I'm very much welcoming the clean industrial deal that I think was long awaited, and we really need it to support our industry through all these challenges we see. Um, I'm looking at the time whether I can mention everything I will be, uh, I will be short. Uh, first and foremost, obviously, we need secure, affordable and clean energy because, um, it's one of the core public responsibilities and it has been neglected over the last years.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “As a Christian Democrat, I believe in stewardship in passing on a better world to the next generation. Let me be very clear. The future of European industry is clean. Not only because we want to keep our promise to our children, but also because a clean industry makes us more competitive, more resilient and less dependent on energy from abroad. And that is why, as the EPP Group has said for years, climate policy must go hand in hand with industry policy. We cannot expect a green transition without enabling our industries to make it happen and to remain competitive while doing so. We need to adapt our approach. The clean industrial deal is a critical, long overdue first step. It must be implemented faster, more effectively and with a constant eye on real world conditions. Our industry does not need more fine words. Our industry needs action now. A reliable government is not only one that keeps its promises. It is also one that listens, adapts and is willing to sit down with industry to adjust legislation when needed to make the transition actually work.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Um, I think we're in a in a very urgent situation. Um, we as a committee, I don't think we need the media to explain that to us. But also yesterday, um, there were, uh, media that was in the news that, uh, that chemical companies are being pushed out of Europe exploring exits of, of Europe. And this is the kind of industry we we need in Europe also for our strategic autonomy. Um, and this is not a isolated warning. I think it reflects a broader reality across Europe and across our industrial landscape. We know it's under pressure. Factories are closing. If investment decisions are delayed, investments, investment decisions also from from international head offices. Uh, and we see productivity, uh, falling, decreasing. Um, Mario Draghi, uh, in my opinion rightly warned that our competitiveness is at risk. And if we do not act now, we're losing strategic sectors that we need for our economy of the future. And as EP, we've said it for years, in the past years. There cannot be climate policy without industrial policy. The two need each other. We've set out very ambitious goals with the Green Deal, but these goals can only be met if the businesses have the confidence to invest if the business case works.”
  Climate efforts
• “President. Ladies and gentlemen, three years ago, Russia attacked Ukraine. And three years ago, we said rightly. Stop paying into the war chest of Putin. Stop buying Russian oil and gas. It wasn't easy because of our dependency was quite large, but it is painful now to recognize that still 13% of our gas imports come from Russia. It's even more embarrassing that two thirds of these are long term contracts, which, despite the fact that there's a war on, we decide we can't abrogate those contracts. But it's most embarrassing that a third of the contracts are being bought on the spot market. So every day, European parties are taking a decision to buy from Russia. In moral terms, this is unacceptable. I'm pleased with the proposal from the European Commission that they are bringing this to a definitive end. Of course, we don't want to get rid of one dependence to be led into another. We have to make sure that we stop imports from Russia at least, though. Thank you.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Colleagues, I am hopeful. Europe has the knowledge, the technology and the capital to build a clean and competitive industrial base. If we work together, we can achieve it. And yes, there are different views among the political groups here in Parliament, but we managed to overcome those differences and found broad support for this resolution, a resolution that sends a clear message we want our industry to stay in Europe. We want it to be competitive and we want it to decarbonise, and we are ready to take our part. Commissioner, the message from this Parliament is clear. Act now. Deliver on what the industry needs. Deliver on what our economy needs. Deliver on what a competitive Europe needs. Because Europe cannot be. Cannot afford to be just a museum of industrial history. It must be the workshop of a clean future. Now, Mr. Chair, I have in front of me the oral question. But I have full trust in the fact that I think the Commissioner has this question as well. So I would like to use my time to give it to the Commissioner, to have more time to answer the questions. Thank you very much.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you. President. Well, of course, there are challenges that our economy are facing. Affordable energy is a problem Unfair competition from China, for example, is a problem. Dependency on raw materials and processed materials as well. In Europe, we are lagging behind and a lot of companies just run into walls of red tape, so it's excellent. The European Commission now is intending to take measures. Strategic industrial policy is absolutely necessary to work together with companies to press to the future, to improve competitiveness, but also and I hope SMEs can can be encouraged here. Competitiveness is not an end unto itself. We need to have a decent economy to have, in a sense, a decent society where people are at the center, where sustainability and economy can go hand in hand, and you need a strong economy in order to do that. And the European model that's based on our values, that is the model that's under pressure Because there's too much attention being given to what's on paper rather than what can in reality be achieved. And dependencies are being used against us, and big economic blocs want to drive us apart within Europe. So we need to stand strong. We need to take decisions. We're good at setting priorities, but we're very bad at giving up old ones, taking new choices. That's what will help keep us alive.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Mr. Commissioner, the last time I checked, you were a social Democrat. And that means that you believe that government action actually influences our society. And from your plans on, on on the energy price, etc. that shows. But the minute you start talking about nuclear energy and you present figures there, you present the figures like it's some kind of autonomous development. On what role nuclear will have in our energy system. It is not. The majority of this Parliament really wants you to act on nuclear energy. Question. We have the Industrial Alliance on small modular reactors that was under pressure of the European Parliament was set up in the last mandate. I would like to hear your ideas on boosting this industrial alliance and make sure that already in the early 2030s, we will have an SMR in Europe, and from that on we can build and increase the amount of smrs we use in industrial clusters. Thank you.”
  Nuclear energy
• “Sorry, Mr. Chair. Um, Mr. chair. Dear colleagues. Dependence is a risk. We have seen that in our reliance on the US for defence, on Russia, for gas, and on China for goods and natural resources. And now we are at risk of becoming dependent on others for our basic industries, the backbone of our economy steel, chemicals, fertilisers. They're not just products. They are the foundation of today's economy and of tomorrow's prosperity. But industrial companies leaving Europe is no longer a threat. It's a reality across our continent. Businesses are shutting down or relocating or are cutting investments right now. Many decarbonisation projects are being paused or cancelled. Companies that want to invest in clean production cannot justify it financially, and multinational firms choose to expand production outside Europe instead, because it simply does not make economic sense to invest here on the current conditions. Energy prices in Europe are 2 to 3 times higher than in the US and China, and even higher in some member states like my own, the Netherlands. But it is not just the cost of energy overloaded grids, sluggish permitting, excessive bureaucracy. All are damaging our industrial competitiveness. This must change because if our industries leave, we lose jobs, we lose the jobs, the innovation, and we lose the basis on which our social market economy is built and the emissions, they are continued elsewhere on the lower standards harming our climate.”
  Carbon leakage support
• “Thank you. President. Just thinking back ten years ago, if I'd said that we'd have war on our shores, that the US would be leaving us in the lurch, and that the European economy and industry would be, uh, looked, uh, would have been deemed to be failing. Somebody would have looked at the calendar and said, surely that's an April Fool's joke. But if you don't see that, then you're being naive because you can see how the US has been defending us and guaranteeing our defence, and that Russia is now trying to control the provision of fuel and resources. This is a world order that isn't standing by democracy, freedom. And we are seeing that these are tools that are being used as weapons against us. That's the world we're seeing being constructed today. Now, there's a great deal of responsibility on your shoulders, on the shoulders of the governments, of the member states, on our shoulders as well, to make sure that we come out of this stronger. We don't need a nationalistic accounting mentality. We need leadership. We can do that through bold choices if we choose for energy innovation, defense as clear priorities for a European budget, which reflects those commensurate choices and a clear choice for European cooperation, so that with 27 member states, we can defend the rights and interests of 450 million people.”
  EU-US relations
• “Thank you for that question. Colleague. I don't think you listen to what I said. We would agree on many points. Just one difference. There is no reason why the EU should be surprised or caught unawares by what the US has said. We need to take responsibility for our own security and autonomy.”
  EU-US relations
• “And secondly, on the issue of permitting, because if I look at some, uh, very important and ambitious projects from the Netherlands that are on the list, I also see that we have huge problems with, with permitting, um, some projects being. Delayed. Uh, very much. We have the Delta Rhine corridor that is has a delay already for four years, which is crucial also for the Ruhr area in in Germany. We see many projects on there that that that are delayed. Uh, while antennae um, we made uh, we tried to I tried to find the right, the right text. But we require EU countries to ensure a streamlined permit granting process for Pci's and PMIs within the time frame of three and a half years. Now, I know we're not three and a half years yet since, uh, drawing up the list. Um, but permitting is crucial. And I also would like to ask you, uh, on a specific point that we, as Parliament raised in the industry report, uh, and it is on the possibility of temporary exemptions for deposition and emission in the construction phase of energy infrastructure projects, because that is something that is especially at the moment in the Netherlands.”
  EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
• “And there is direct competition from China, from the US as well, who have managed to put together some successful programs as well. If we look at the difference between the US and the EU, I'm sure there's much lower burden of regulation there. So where will the clean industrial deal have to be targeted if we're looking at working with the US? And second point, you mentioned this as well. Investment has to be built on a business case, on a perspective on trust. How will the clean industrial deal contribute to that confidence? For example, start ups and clean tech and European companies that are rooted here, but also if they have their HQs elsewhere in the world where there are issues concerning investments in European countries.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you. President. Factories are closing across the EU. Production is dropping and investment is being lost because it's too expensive to make things in Europe. And our basic industries need this fuel. Chemistry and so on are key for our industry and for our security. And therefore we cannot be dependent on others. We have the knowledge, the technology, the industry in Europe. We can do this, but we need to give it a better. We need to do this better. Commissioner, we have the clean industrial deal and. We need to ensure that it's translated into concrete actions. Yes. That's important. We must do that. But the solution isn't just in Europe. Member states also have to get to work. I'm thinking about my own country, the Netherlands. We need to support our energy. We can't allow them to go energy to slide backwards through national choices that are made. Thank you.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Thank you. President. The CDI thinks that the work program of the commission has to be focused on three main points. Uh, first of all, give a priority to ensure that we have enough, um, affordable green energy. Um, this is important for our defence and security, and, uh, governments are not allowing sufficient energy to be delivered. This has to be looked at at European level. Secondly, invest in our future economy. So this means improve our competitiveness. Um, less dependence on products from China, focusing more on critical infrastructure. Energy and green industrial policies. And we have to carry out our necessary reforms that are required for access to European funds and then society and entrepreneurs to ensure that rules are simpler. Stop putting everything in the tiniest detail in European legislation. If I look to the work programme, then I can see these points, but they lack a bit of force and they should be more focused. They need to be focused on what is more important. The most important points, because the rest of the world won't wait for us.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Honourable members, this truly is a wake up call. We hear that time and again. Now, how is it that we are constantly caught unawares when the US says that we need to take responsibility for our own security? We can not be reliant on Russian gas. We saw that in the past and similarly threatened blockades on exports of raw materials. We need to change course swiftly. Member states in the European Union have a huge task ahead of them. We need to strengthen our sovereignty, strengthen our position. We need to make choices, prioritise. If everything is a priority, then nothing is. We need to make choices, to strengthen our security, to speed up the energy transition, move to an economy of the future and get a handle on migration. We need to make those choices, and that means we need to leave aside many other issues in the years ahead. We need to be self-aware. We need to build a strong Europe in a dangerous world. That is the task ahead of us and that is what we must rise to. Thank you.”
  EU-US relations