A critical flaw in the design of an EU law on energy infrastructure has
helped the fossil fuel industry pocket over €1 billion in EU taxpayer funds for
gas projects, according to new analysis from Friends of the Earth Europe and
Food & Water Action Europe.
At least 60% of all European Commission funds allocated to develop gas
infrastructure have been pocketed by projects connected only to the 12-strong
board of the advisory body ENTSO-G (The European Network of Transmission System
Operators for Gas) - based on the advice of the body. The privileged role of
ENTSO-G, whose members have ties to major gas and oil companies such as Engie,
Enagas and OMV, in decision-making on energy policy has benefitted fossil
fuels, not the 'common interest' of Europeans or the planet.
The European Commission has announced it revise the TEN-E regulation to
bring it in line with the goals of the EU Green Deal. Food & Water Action
Europe and Friends of the Earth Europe call on EU lawmakers to replace ENTSO-G
with a fully transparent, independent advisory body free from all fossil fuel
interests.