Breach of water temperature limit at Paks nuclear power plant

Priority question for written answer P-001906/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE)

In the summer of 2024, the Hungarian government issued a decree to bypass the legal temperature limits set for the Danube River downstream of Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant, using the argument of security of energy supply. The Danube is an important European waterway and borders numerous Natura 2000 areas.

• 1.Which procedural and legal steps is the Commission planning to take to address the Hungarian government's disregard for environmental standards?
• 2.Is the Commission evaluating the consequences of the rise in the river temperature to above 30 °C for animal welfare, for the ecosystem as a whole, and for human health?
• 3.Is the Commission evaluating the consequences of the future operations of Paks nuclear power plant for the Danube's ecosystem, in light of accelerating climate change?

Submitted: 1.10.2024