Overview
This report covers parliamentary questions (PQs) and Commission responses published between 31.05.2026 and 07.06.2026 (Monday → Sunday). The policy landscape during this window underscores a heavy focus on the European energy transition, specifically examining the balance between renewable energy deployment, industrial competitiveness, and energy security. Key themes include the regulation of biofuels and e-fuels versus direct electrification, the protection and development of critical energy infrastructure, the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), and State aid mechanisms supporting the automotive, refining, and nuclear sectors. External energy partnerships, particularly concerning Russian gas phase-outs and US LNG imports, also feature prominently. In total, this briefing analyses 18 PQs, of which 10 have been answered by the Commission and 8 remain pending.
❗ High ILUC-Risk Biofuels and the Renewable Energy Directive
In E-000877/2026, a parliamentary inquiry addressed the environmental impact of biofuels and their classification under EU frameworks. In a response on 1 June 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen outlined that the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) progressively phases out high indirect land-use change (ILUC) risk biofuels to zero by 2030, unless certified as low-risk. Jørgensen confirmed that the Commission’s review maintains palm oil and soybeans as high ILUC-risk feedstocks, noting that European soybean cultivation is largely independent of the biofuel market, thereby avoiding negative impacts on the bloc’s security of supply.
❓ Biofuels and E-fuels in Road Transport
In E-002077/2026, submitted on 20 May 2026, MEPs Annalisa Corrado, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, César Luena, Elena Sancho Murillo, Tiemo Wölken, and Marco Tarquinio (S&D) questioned the expansion of sustainable renewable fuels in road transport, citing concerns over climate integrity, resource efficiency, and investment certainty compared to direct electrification. The MEPs highlighted that alternative fuels are less cost-competitive and that a biofuel loophole in the Car CO2 Regulation could artificially inflate demand, putting road transport in direct competition for fuels with the aviation and maritime sectors. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Cross-Subsidisation of HVO in the Transport Sector
In E-001025/2026, concerning the regulatory treatment of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), the Commission was asked about cross-subsidisation practices. In a response on 1 June 2026, Commissioner Tzitzikostas clarified that under Article 25 of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), Member States retain flexibility in achieving renewable uptake targets across the transport sector without mode-specific mandates. Consequently, it is within the remit of national authorities, such as the Netherlands, to permit schemes like BIDO tickets for HVO supplies. Tzitzikostas also highlighted the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), adopted in November 2025, which aims to de-risk investments in low-carbon fuels.
❓ Southern Gas Interconnection in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In E-002030/2026, submitted on 18 May 2026, MEPs Gordan Bosanac, Thomas Waitz, Vladimir Prebilič, and Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE) raised concerns over legislative amendments in Bosnia and Herzegovina that directly appoint a newly formed company to develop the Southern Gas Interconnection with Croatia. The MEPs argued that building such infrastructure could undermine decarbonisation, increase dependency on US liquefied natural gas, and risk creating stranded assets, suggesting that renewable alternatives like heat pumps and geothermal energy for Sarajevo’s district heating would be more effective. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Regulation of Waste Heat and Cold in Italy
In P-002182/2026, submitted on 29 May 2026, MEP Dario Tamburrano (The Left) questioned whether Italy has correctly transposed Directive (EU) 2023/2413 on waste heat. The inquiry points to an Italian decree providing that heat generated in municipal solid waste incineration plants—using all forms of municipal solid waste rather than just the biological fraction—can be counted towards renewable energy targets when used in district heating, prompting scrutiny over its alignment with EU criteria. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Offshore Renewable Goals and the Energy Mix
In P-000741/2026, an inquiry focused on the environmental and strategic implications of scaling up offshore wind. In a response on 4 June 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen emphasised that offshore wind is a stable and indispensable part of the net-zero energy mix, operating with strict environmental impact assessments. Additionally, Jørgensen underscored that Member States retain the right to determine their energy mix, noting that for several countries, nuclear energy—supported by the recently adopted eighth Nuclear Illustrative Programme and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) Strategy—remains a vital decarbonisation and autonomy tool.
❗ Protection of Critical Maritime Infrastructure
In E-000944/2026, addressing the security of submarine cables and energy pipelines, a parliamentary question referenced the Nord Stream pipeline incident. In a response on 5 June 2026, Commissioner Brunner stated that while investigations into the Nord Stream incident remain the sole responsibility of the relevant Member State, the Commission actively supports infrastructure protection through the ProtectEU Internal Security Strategy and the Directive on the resilience of critical entities. Brunner highlighted recent initiatives, including the 2025 EU Action Plan on Cable Security and EUR 55 million€55MCited figure in targeted funding calls to enhance repair capacities and deploy smart sensing cables in the Baltic Sea.
Automotive & Aviation Decarbonisation
❗ CO2 Emission Standards and ReFuelEU Aviation
In E-000913/2026, inquiries were made regarding the decarbonisation pathways for the automotive and aviation sectors. In a response on 5 June 2026, Commissioner Tzitzikostas affirmed that the December 2025 proposal amending CO2 emission standards for cars and vans maintains strong market signals for zero-emission vehicles while offering manufacturers flexibility. Regarding aviation, Tzitzikostas noted that the sector is on track to meet its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) obligations for 2025-2029 under the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, and announced that the Commission is preparing an EU Aviation Strategy to boost competitiveness, innovation, and strategic autonomy against supply shocks.
❗ Competitiveness of the European Automotive Industry
In E-001405/2026, the Commission was asked about the impact of the Automotive Package on industry competitiveness and employment. In a response on 2 June 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra noted that the impact assessment for the revised CO2 standards identified only marginal impacts on total employment. Hoekstra highlighted that battery-electric vehicles accounted for 19.4% of new car registrations in Q1 2026, and that the proposed flexibilities will allow hybrid and internal combustion engine vehicles to play a role beyond 2035. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the sector via the Industrial Action Plan and the Clean Industrial Deal State aid Framework.
Critical Raw Materials
❗ Implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act
In E-001028/2026, addressing the European Court of Auditors’ observations on supply chain vulnerabilities, the Commission was asked about its raw materials strategy. In a response on 2 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné outlined the accelerated implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and the newer RESourceEU Action Plan. Séjourné noted that the EU, through Team Europe, is mobilising EUR 3 billion€3BCited figure to support strategic projects in battery, rare earth, and defence value chains—aiming to cut single-supplier dependencies by up to 50% by 2029—and announced the establishment of a European CRMs Centre.
❓ San Juan Mine Strategic Project Application
In E-002169/2026, submitted on 27 May 2026, MEP Catarina Martins (The Left) raised concerns regarding the proposed San Juan open-pit wolfram mine in Galicia, Spain, located near the Portuguese border. Highlighting the potential threat to the Montesinho Natural Park and shared water resources, Martins asked if the Commission had notified Portugal of the promoter’s application for recognition as a strategic project under the Critical Raw Materials Act, and whether Portugal had lodged a substantiated objection to exercise its right to veto. A response from the Commission is pending.
Nuclear Innovation
❓ Deployment of Small Modular Reactors in the EU
In E-002068/2026, submitted on 19 May 2026, MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR) requested details on the concrete implementation of the EU’s strategy for small modular reactors (SMRs). Emphasising nuclear energy’s role in providing stable, clean power and heat to reduce external dependencies, Tynkkynen asked how the Commission will ensure that post-2030 energy frameworks align with the SMR strategy and what additional financial instruments will be introduced post-2028 to support first-of-a-kind nuclear projects. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Immediate Support Scheme for SMEs
In P-000941/26, submitted on 6 March 2026, MEP Ştefan Muşoiu (S&D) asked whether the Commission intends to propose a European support scheme or temporary measures granting Member States greater flexibility to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing increased energy and transport costs due to the conflict in the Gulf. In a response on 4 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Ribera pointed to the Middle East Crisis Temporary state aid Framework (METSAF) adopted in April 2026, which targets affected sectors like agriculture, fishery, and transport. Ribera also noted that existing State aid rules and the InvestEU Programme provide avenues for Member States to support SMEs in lowering their energy costs.
❗ State Aid for the PCK Schwedt Refinery
In P-001865/2026, an inquiry was raised regarding investments and infrastructure support for the PCK Schwedt refinery in Germany. In a response on 1 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Ribera confirmed that the Commission approved around EUR 350 million in State aid on 8 April 2026 for a new synthetic aviation fuels plant in Schwedt. Ribera also acknowledged ongoing talks between Germany and Poland regarding further oil supplies to the refinery, while awaiting further clarifications from Germany concerning potential upgrades to the Rostock pipeline.
❗ State Aid Investigations for Nuclear Reactors
In E-001678/2026, a parliamentary question probed the Commission’s rationale for opening formal State aid investigations into nuclear projects in France and Poland. In a response on 1 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Ribera clarified that under EU Regulation, the Commission is obligated to open a formal investigation whenever there are doubts about a measure’s internal market compatibility, regardless of the technology. For Poland, doubts specifically concern the duration of direct price support, while for France’s six new reactors, the focus is on ensuring the remuneration model does not unduly distort competition or displace renewable generation.
❓ Embargo on Russian Fossil Fuels and Hungary’s Stance
In P-002146/2026, submitted on 27 May 2026, MEP Piotr Müller (ECR) requested clarification on the Commission’s strategy to enforce a full embargo on Russian fossil fuels. The inquiry was prompted by statements from Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar suggesting that the entire EU would eventually return to buying Russian gas to ensure competitive energy prices. Müller asked what specific legislative and political actions the Commission will take to prevent a return to Russian dependencies and whether it will formally request Hungary to present a phase-out plan. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ US Control Over EU Gas Imports
In E-002106/2026, submitted on 21 May 2026, MEPs Dario Tamburrano, Carolina Morace, Pasquale Tridico, and Danilo Della Valle (The Left) raised concerns regarding the growing dominance of the United States over the EU’s gas supply and infrastructure. The MEPs highlighted US investor interest in TurkStream and Nord Stream, agreements to develop gas infrastructure in the Balkans, and a pledge to spend USD 750 billion on US energy imports, asking how the Commission intends to protect EU interests from a single supplier exercising substantial control over critical imports. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Cyprus’s Exclusion from COP31 Processes
In E-002188/2026, submitted on 29 May 2026, MEP Nikolas Farantouris (S&D) addressed reports that Türkiye has excluded Cyprus from informal preparatory meetings for the COP31 climate summit, which Türkiye is hosting. Highlighting that Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Farantouris asked what specific actions the Commission will take to ensure Cyprus’s equal participation in COP31 processes and what measures will be implemented if further exclusionary tactics are observed. A response from the Commission is pending.
