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. Energy…
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. The council then sought the advice of the European Court of Justice…
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 the Russian gas exporter faces curbs imposed by the European Union on how much of Opal it can use.
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.
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, and has vowed to go on to the European Court of Justice if he fails again in London.
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 plan to replace…
Gazprom Neft Moves Trading Back to Russia
Gas giant Gazprom's oil arm is shifting its trading operations from Austria back to Russia, it said on Wednesday, with industry sources saying the firm wanted to protect huge revenues from potential seizure as Moscow's relations with the West worsen. A decision by Gazprom Neft to relocate trading from Vienna to St Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city and the home town of President Vladimir Putin…
Austria Pledges to Sue Brussels Over UK Nuclear Plant Plan
Austria would take the European Commission to court within two months of it publishing its decision to approve Britain's plans for a 16 billion pound ($24 billion) nuclear power plant, a spokeswoman for the chancellor said on Wednesday. The project, to be built by French utility EDF at Hinkley Point in southwest England, is crucial for Britain's…
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.
Russia to appeal EU Yukos Edict
Russia will appeal against a decision by Europe's top human rights court to award shareholders in Yukos 1.9 billion euros ($2.42 billion) by the end of this month, RIA news agency quoted Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov as saying on Thursday. In July, the European Court of Human Rights found that Russia had failed to "strike a fair balance" in its treatment of Yukos…
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. Not all 28 members were present.
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, who want to overturn approval from the top European regulator.
Ex-Yukos CFO Pleased with ECHR Damage Ruling
Bruce Misamore, former chief executive officer of now-defunct Russian oil producer Yukos, said on Thursday he was "very pleased" with a decision from Europe's top human rights court to award shareholders with 1.9 billion euros in damages. The Strasbourg-based European Court for Human Rights (ECHR)found that Russia had failed to "strike a fair balance" in its treatment of Yukos…
Nevzlin Unlikely to Leave Yukos Fight
Nevzlin was partner with Khodorkovsky in Yukos; has said he will fight if Russia resists paying $50 bln claim. Former Yukos executive and top shareholder Leonid Nevzlin will face an uphill struggle getting any of the money he lost when the Russian oil giant was seized and nationalised after falling foul of the Kremlin. But based on past performance during the around 10 years the case has played out…
Iran Oil Tanker Firm Still Faces Sanctions
Iran's main oil tanker firm NITC will struggle for some time to call at European ports, get foreign insurance and overcome obstacles under western sanctions, even after a top court has annulled its blacklisted status in the European Union. An interim deal between Iran and world powers signed in November has provided the Islamic Republic with some sanctions relief, helping to boost oil sales.
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, make a preliminary ruling…
Ukraine Loses at Least $80 Billion Since Russia Takes Crimea
Ukraine has lost at least $80 billion since Russia annexed its southern Crimea region and the price tag will be much higher when Kiev includes lost profits and the value of possible energy reserves in the Black Sea. Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko said Kiev would press its case against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights and could…
