Press Release: State aid: European Commission proposes Council Regulation on State aid to close uncompetitive coal mines

The European Commission has approved a proposal for a Council Regulation on State aid to facilitate the closure of loss-making hard coal mines in the EU by 1st October 2014.

Any further operating aid to the sector will be conditional on the presentation of a closure plan for the loss-making mines. The Member States concerned will be able to assist with the counselling and training of the affected workers and ensuring that the mining sites are properly cleaned up and safe.

European Commission: Memo/10/348: Coal Regulation - FAQs http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/348&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EurActiv, 21.7.10: Commission proposes phasing out coal subsidies http://www.euractiv.com/en/energy/commission-proposes-phasing-out-coal-subsidies-news-496532

WWF Europe: Press Release, 20.7.10: Council must back Commission plans to end coal aid http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/policy/wwf_europe_environment/?194225/Council-must-back-Commission-plans-to-end-coal-aid

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