Britain to Stay in EU Carbon Market until 2020
Britain intends to remain in Europe's emission trading system (ETS) until at least the end of its third trading phase running from 2013-2020, Britain's energy minister said on Wednesday. The status of Britain's participation in the scheme following the country's exit from the European Union in March 2019 had been unclear until now.
French Court to Decide on Removal of Regulated Gas Tariffs
France's highest administrative court should decide by the end of July on the potential removal of regulated gas tariffs for consumers, sources close to the matter told Reuters on Monday. The ANODE association of alternative power and gas vendors filed a legal challenge against regulated gas tariffs with France's Conseil d'Etat in 2013.
Poland Balks at EU Carbon Market Reform
Poland is challenging draft carbon market reforms agreed by most European Union governments this week, saying the deal is not-binding because it did not have the full backing of the bloc's 28 nations, the country's environment ministry said on Thursday. Poland does not rule out taking the issue to the European Court of Justice to unravel the legislation…
Gazprom Cuts Flows via Opal Gas Pipeline After Polish Challenge Upheld
Russian gas deliveries to Germany via the Opal pipeline fell by around 30 percent on Wednesday after Poland successfully blocked a deal giving Gazprom a bigger share of the pipeline's capacity. Gazprom sends gas through the Nord Stream pipeline which runs along the Baltic Sea bed and links up with Opal in Germany but…
Court rejects bid to enforce Ecuador judgment on Chevron Canada
A Toronto court has rejected a bid by Ecuadorian villagers to enforce a judgment in their home country against Chevron Canada Ltd, ruling the subsidiary is not liable for parent Chevron Corp, the U.S. oil major said on Friday. A Canadian lawyer for the villagers in the environment-damage lawsuit said the ruling is "not a modern-day view," and that an appeal will be filed.
Germany's Highest Court to Rule on Nuclear Fuel Tax in 2017
Germany's highest court will decide next year on complaints brought by utilities against a tax on nuclear fuel rods, a spokesman said on Thursday, in a further challenge to the government's energy policy. E.ON, RWE and EnBW have demanded exemption from the tax, introduced in 2011, and are claiming back the roughly 5.8 billion euros ($6.2 billion) they have already paid.
Philippines' Offshore Oil Still in Doubt
The Philippines, eager to resume development of vital oil and gas reserves off its coast, will likely need to reach an accord with a Chinese government infuriated by last week's ruling that granted Manila a big victory in the South China Sea. The Philippines relies overwhelmingly on imports to fuel its fast-growing economy.
BHP, Vale to Fight Reinstated $6 bln Claim for Samarco Disaster
BHP Billiton and Vale SA said on Friday they would appeal against a Brazilian court's decision to reinstate a $6 billion public civil claim from Brazilian authorities over last year's Samarco iron ore mine disaster. Samarco, along with BHP and 50-50 joint-venture partner Vale, had agreed in March to settle that claim with staggered payments over a 15-year period…
Pertamina Plans to Develop South China Sea Border Areas
Energy company Pertamina plans to explore for oil and gas in areas close to Indonesia's maritime border in the South China Sea to assert the country's territorial rights, the upstream director of the state-owned company said. "The government needs to have activities around the borders and one of Pertamina's strategies is to support this," Syamsu Alam told Reuters in an interview on Monday.
Trump Takes Scottish Windfarm Fight to UK's Top Court
Billionaire U.S. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump took his long battle against windfarms near his Scottish golf course to the UK Supreme Court on Thursday. The property mogul - who says plans for 11 offshore turbines will spoil the view from his greens - has lost a series of battles in lower courts…
Austria Sues EU over UK Nuclear Plant
Austria launched legal action on Monday against the European Commission over its backing of British plans for the $24.9 billion development of the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant, Chancellor Werner Faymann said. The project, to be built by French utility EDF at Hinkley Point in southwest England, is crucial for Britain's…
EMGS to Appeal Ruling On Patent Invalidity
As previously announced, Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) has issued claims against Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) in the High Court of Justice, Patent Court, in London, UK, and in Norwegian courts on the basis that PGS used its Towed Streamer EM in the territory of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway in violation of one of EMGS' patents.
Shale Gas Drillers have to Consider Cumulative Impact
The European Union's top court has clarified EU rules on shale gas exploration in a judgment that could require some member states to change their legislation, lawyers said. The court confirmed impact assessments are not obligatory, but could be required depending on particular circumstances. The case, heard at the EU's Court of Justice (ECJ)…
EU: UK Courts Should Enforce UK NO2 Limits
Many areas of Britain breached NO2 limits since 2010; case to return to Britain's Supreme Court next year. The European Union's highest court ruled on Wednesday that Britain's courts have the authority to order the British government to comply with EU nitrogen dioxide limits as soon as possible, speeding up action to tackle the air pollutant.
EU's Top Court Asked to Rule on Industry's CO2 Permit Challenges
The Dutch national court has asked the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to rule on the legal challenges filed by heavy industry over how many free emissions permits they are due to receive through to 2020 under the EU's carbon market. The Dutch Council of State on Wednesday requested the ECJ, Europe's highest court,…
Austria, Poland face Fines Over Energy Law
Austria and Poland face fines for failing to implement EU law on making buildings more energy-efficient, the EU executive said on Thursday. The European Commission is asking the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) in Luxembourg to apply a penalty of 96,720 euros ($131,900) against Poland and 39,593 euros against Austria for every day they do not comply with EU law.
Somalia Takes Kenya to UN Court in Oil Rights Row
Somalia filed a suit against Kenya at the U.N.'s highest court, seeking to resolve a long-running dispute over lucrative oil reserves in the Indian Ocean. Somalia asked the International Court of Justice in The Hague to determine the maritime boundary between the coastal nations, which disagree about the rights for exploration and collect revenue from oil discoveries.
Austria to Sue if EU Regulator Clears UK Nuclear Plan
Austria will take the European Commission to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) if it approves Britain's plans for a 16 billion-pound ($26 billion) nuclear power plant, a spokesman for the chancellor said on Sunday. The deal to pay a guaranteed price for the power produced in the plant faces opposition from a quarter of EU policymakers…
First New British Nuclear Plant in Decades Wins EU Funding Fight
A British plan to guarantee the price of power from its first new nuclear project in decades won European Union backing in a landmark ruling on Wednesday that now faces legal challenges. Seen as market-distorting state aid by opponents, the price guarantee was approved in a 16-to-5 vote with one abstention in a tense meeting of the College of Commissioners, sources told Reuters.
