Overview
This report covers parliamentary questions (PQs) published between 10.05.2026 and 17.05.2026. The 17 PQs reviewed in this window highlight a strong focus on the European energy transition, carbon pricing mechanisms (ETS/CBAM), supply chain resilience, and the geopolitical impacts on energy security. Key themes include the deployment of renewables, the protection of Natura 2000 sites, trade defence for net-zero technologies, and the socio-economic impacts of rising energy prices. In total, 17 PQs are covered in this report, of which 12 have been answered by the European Commission and 5 remain pending.
❗ Environmental Assessments for Wind Power Projects
E-001168/26 submitted by Adrián Vázquez Lázara (PPE) on 19 March 2026 asks about the implementation of CJEU judgment C-461/24 regarding environmental assessments and legal uncertainty for wind farm authorisations. In a response on 11 May 2026, Commissioner Roswall stated that the Commission closely monitors EU law implementation and noted that the CJEU ruling is reflected in the proposed regulation on speeding up environmental assessments, alongside existing obligations under the Renewable Energy Directive for expeditious appeal procedures.
❓ Management of Cross-Regional Wind Farms in Natura 2000 Sites
E-001817/2026 submitted by Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left) on 5 May 2026 questions the bypassing of environmental impact assessments for wind turbines near the Capanne di Marcarolo SPA-SAC site on the Piedmont-Liguria border, asking if administrative fragmentation legitimises the circumvention of EU environmental constraints. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Cybersecurity and Resilience in the Solar Value Chain
E-000545/26 (submission details not provided in the source) questions the Commission on protective measures for the European solar industry. In a response on 12 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen highlighted the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) and the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), which mandate resilience and cybersecurity requirements in public procurement and renewable energy auctions, adding that a risk assessment of the EU solar value chain is expected in the third quarter of 2026.
❗ Grid Resilience and Rural Energy Communities
E-000133/26 (submission details not provided in the source) addresses the resilience of electricity networks and the protection of rural customers. In a response on 12 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen outlined that the electricity risk preparedness regulation requires authorities to account for extreme weather, noting that the proposed Citizen Energy Package will empower rural citizens to form energy communities, supported by the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework.
❗ Thermal Performance and Building Renovation
E-000827/26 (submission details not provided in the source) inquires about the trajectory of National Building Renovation Plans (NBRP) and summer cooling needs. In a response on 11 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen clarified that assessing specific city deviations is outside the Commission’s remit, but noted that Directive (EU) 2024/1275 prioritises passive cooling techniques and that Spain’s draft NBRP anticipates future cooling needs and urban heat island mitigation.
❗ Impact of ETS and CBAM on Inflation and Energy Bills
E-001281/26 (submission details not provided in the source) questions the inflationary impact of the EU’s carbon pricing policies. In a response on 12 May 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra referenced the AccelerateEU Communication aimed at reducing energy bills and noted that the Commission has assessed ETS and CBAM impacts in its Autumn 2025 forecast, adding that a comprehensive review of the ETS will be presented in July.
❗ Rising Energy Prices and EU Industrial Competitiveness
E-001279/26 submitted by Tobiasz Bocheński (ECR) on 26 March 2026 asks if the Commission will adjust climate policy instruments given the energy price shock affecting European industry. In a response on 11 May 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra stated that carbon costs account for only 11% of industrial electricity bills, highlighting the proposed amendment to the Market Stability Reserve and the AccelerateEU Communication to provide relief, while affirming that the EU’s climate neutrality commitment remains unchanged.
❗ Measures to Address Energy Price Volatility
E-001198/26 submitted by Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE) on 23 March 2026 asks about targeted measures to bring down energy prices following the Middle East conflict. In a response on 11 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen pointed to the April 2026 proposal to amend the Market Stability Reserve and the AccelerateEU Communication, noting that a comprehensive ETS review is due by July 2026 and that reflections on a post-2030 framework to modernise the Energy Union have been launched.
❗ Appropriateness of Implementing ETS2
P-001472/26 submitted by Mihai Tudose (S&D) on 10 April 2026 questions whether introducing ETS2 in 2028 is appropriate given the severe energy price crisis and geopolitical shocks. In a response on 11 May 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra defended ETS2 as necessary to reduce vulnerability to fossil fuel volatility, confirming that co-legislators have already agreed to adjust its start to 2028 and highlighting the EUR 86.7 billion€86.7BCited figure Social Climate Fund designed to support vulnerable households.
❗ ETS Emission Reductions and Revenue Allocation
E-001253/26 (submission details not provided in the source) inquires about the economic impacts and revenue use of the ETS and ETS2. In a response on 12 May 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra noted that the ETS has reduced power and industry emissions by 50% since 2005, and emphasized that over three-quarters of ETS auction revenue goes to national budgets for clean energy, while the Social Climate Fund will mitigate short-term ETS2 impacts on vulnerable households.
❗ Trade Defence for Net-Zero Technologies
E-001239/26 submitted by Bruno Tobback (S&D) on 25 March 2026 asks how the Commission is ensuring sufficient operational capacity to process time-sensitive trade defence files for strategic net-zero technologies like wind and solar. In a response on 13 May 2026, Commissioner Šefčovič stated that the Commission has opened almost three times the historical average of new cases since January 2024, actively engaging with the net-zero sector while addressing the technical complexities of public tenders on a case-by-case basis.
❓ Sokli Mining Project and Critical Raw Materials Act
E-001779/2026 submitted by Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE) and Ville Niinistö (Verts/ALE) on 30 April 2026 questions whether the Sokli mining project in Finland can qualify as a strategic project under the Critical Raw Materials Act despite previously failing to obtain environmental permits. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Lignite Mining, Carbon Leakage, and Natura 2000 Protection
P-001876/2026 submitted by Maria Zacharia (NI) on 6 May 2026 raises concerns about extensive lignite mining altering a Natura 2000 site in Achlada, Greece, and the potential circumvention of the ETS-CBAM framework by exporting lignite to Skopje and re-importing the generated electricity. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Impact of the Iran Crisis on EU Fuel Prices
E-001175/26 submitted by Loucas Fourlas (PPE) on 20 March 2026 asks about the Commission’s assessment of the Iran conflict’s impact on fuel prices and measures to protect consumers. In a response on 11 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen noted significant price volatility for refined products but no immediate supply concerns, highlighting the AccelerateEU initiative proposed on 22 April 2026 to coordinate energy interventions and lower energy bills.
❗ Security of Oil Supplies and the Druzhba Pipeline
E-001068/26 (submission details not provided in the source) inquires about energy disruptions following attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure. In a response on 12 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen confirmed that Hungary and Slovakia reported no immediate risks to their oil and gas supplies, and noted that the EU has offered Ukraine technical and financial support to repair the Druzhba pipeline.
❓ Decarbonising Transport in the Canary Islands
E-001805/2026 submitted by Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D) on 4 May 2026 asks if the Commission intends to apply a differentiated EU emissions framework for outermost regions like the Canary Islands to address structural challenges in decarbonising transport and renewing ageing fleets. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ E-fuels and Geopolitical Resilience in Transport
E-001821/2026 submitted by Beatrice Timgren (ECR) on 5 May 2026 questions the Commission on the scalability of e-fuels and whether it is considering adjusting the regulatory framework for passenger cars to enable a technologically neutral integration of e-fuels amidst geopolitical supply risks. A response from the Commission is pending.
