Overview
This report covers parliamentary questions (PQs) and Commission responses published during the timeframe of 19.07.2026 till 26.07.2026 (Monday → Sunday). The documents highlight several key themes in renewable energy and transition policy, including the enforcement of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), the impact of environmental regulations like the F-gas and Methane Regulations, security of supply concerning LNG imports, and the intersection of decarbonisation goals with public health and industrial competitiveness. In total, 11 PQs are covered in this briefing, of which 3 have been answered by the Commission and 8 remain pending.
❓ Contamination by PFAS from wind turbines
In E-002887/2026, submitted on 13 July 2026, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) raised concerns regarding the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from wind turbine components such as blade coatings, lubricants, and cable insulation. The MEP questioned the Commission on its plans to implement a comprehensive ban on PFAS and mitigate environmental contamination from wind farms, while also asking for its stance on expert claims that current EU limits for PFAS are too high. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Increase in the bioethanol blending rate under the Fuel Quality Directive
In E-002866/2026, submitted on 11 July 2026 by Marion Maréchal (ECR) alongside multiple co-signatories from the ECR, PfE, PPE, and NI groups, the Commission was asked about a potential revision of the Fuel Quality Directive. The MEPs highlighted that the current 10% limit on bioethanol blending in petrol (E10) hinders the adoption of higher-rate blends like E20, and inquired whether the Commission plans to propose an amendment to support the European biofuel sector and meet the Renewable Energy Directive III targets. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Application of the life cycle CO₂ emissions exemption under Regulation (EU) 2024/573
In E-002966/2026, submitted on 15 July 2026, MEP Wouter Beke (PPE) addressed the upcoming 2027 market prohibitions on certain refrigerants in heat pumps under the F-gas Regulation. Noting the exemption provided in Article 11(2) for equipment with lower life cycle CO₂ equivalent emissions, the MEP asked the Commission to clarify the methodology for calculating these emissions within ecodesign regulations to ensure legal certainty for manufacturers. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Adapting EU energy performance policies in the light of extreme heat episodes
In O-000032/2026, submitted on 17 July 2026, MEP Catherine Griset (PfE) and numerous co-signatories questioned the impact of EU energy performance rules on the installation of cooling systems in critical infrastructure. The MEPs asked how the Commission will ensure that decarbonisation goals do not restrict Member States from equipping hospitals, schools, and care homes with necessary cooling solutions during extreme heatwaves. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act in Spain
In E-002336/2026, a parliamentary question regarding permitting under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), the submitting MEP and submission date were not detailed in the source document. The core inquiry focused on regional compliance and project support. In a response on 23 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné confirmed that Spain has nominated regional single points of contact (SPOCs) and noted that the 27-month permitting deadline for extraction projects designated in March 2025 has not yet expired. The Commission emphasised ongoing collaboration with Member States and financial institutions to de-risk investments under the RESourceEU Action Plan.
❗ Selection process for Strategic Projects under the CRMA
In E-002048/2026, a parliamentary question probing the transparency and assessment of Strategic Projects under the CRMA (submitting MEP and date not provided in the source), the Commission outlined its procedural safeguards. In a response on 22 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that technical assessments are conducted by independent external experts and that Member States retain veto power over projects on their territory. The Commissioner noted that certain detailed evaluation elements remain confidential to protect commercially sensitive information and the integrity of decision-making.
❗ Decarbonisation impacts on industrial competitiveness and employment
In E-002292/2026, a parliamentary question addressing the economic implications of the EU’s 2040 climate target (submitting MEP and date not detailed in the source), the core focus was on industrial competitiveness and job creation. In a response on 20 July 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra explained that the 2040 target impact assessment indicated limited but potentially positive employment effects, citing a large battery manufacturing plant in Šurany, Slovakia, as a key example. Hoekstra highlighted available support instruments, including the Modernisation Fund, the Innovation Fund, and a EUR 1 billion€1BCited figure State aid scheme for cleantech manufacturing in Slovakia approved under the Clean Industrial Deal.
❓ Dependency on LNG
In E-002979/2026, submitted on 15 July 2026, MEP Moritz Körner (Renew) questioned the Commission on the EU’s growing reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. The MEP requested an estimate of the percentage of Europe’s LNG that will be sourced from the US by 2030 and asked what steps the Commission intends to take to prevent this dependency from threatening European sovereignty. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ New fossil gas infrastructure in accession countries, including Kosovo
In E-002961/2026, submitted on 15 July 2026, MEP Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE) raised concerns over political discussions promoting new fossil gas infrastructure in Kosovo, despite the country’s lack of existing gas networks or identified demand. The MEP asked how the Commission assesses such proposals in light of the Green Agenda and Energy Community obligations, and how it plans to support evidence-based strategic planning aligned with long-term decarbonisation pathways in enlargement countries. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Servicing Russian Arc7-class LNG icebreakers and the effectiveness of the EU’s sanctions policy
In E-002967/2026, submitted on 15 July 2026, MEP Michał Dworczyk (ECR) highlighted media reports indicating that a European shipyard is providing repair and maintenance services for Russian Arc7-class LNG icebreakers vital to the Yamal LNG project. The MEP asked if such activities align with EU sanctions objectives and whether the Commission plans to amend Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 to remove the transition period for technical services, thereby restricting Russia’s Arctic LNG export capabilities. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Implementation of Chapter V of the EU Methane Regulation and risks to the security of energy supply
In E-002911/2026, submitted on 14 July 2026, MEP Wouter Beke (PPE) warned that the lack of implementing measures for the monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) requirements under Chapter V of the EU Methane Regulation is creating legal uncertainty for fossil fuel importers. The MEP asked if the Commission acknowledges that necessary compliance tools may not be ready by the 1 January 2027 deadline and inquired whether a targeted amendment to postpone these MRV requirements is under consideration to prevent supply disruptions. A response from the Commission is pending.
