Von der Leyen puts forward EU commissioner candidates

Spanish Market: Electricity, Emissions, Natural gas
17/09/24

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen today presented candidates for commissioner posts, confirming names put forward for portfolios including climate, energy, agriculture and trade.

Von der Leyen — who was confirmed by European Parliament as Commission president on 18 July — has committed to doubling down on climate and energy policy. Her 2024-29 mandate stipulates greenhouse gas emissions cuts of at least 90pc by 2040 compared with 1990.

Her commissioners, if appointed, will implement those policies. She is nominating Teresa Ribera to oversee competition policy but also "clean, just and competitive transition" that would include energy, climate, environment and other Green Deal files. Ribera is Spain's deputy prime minister and responsible for the country's ecological transition.

Von der Leyen has proposed the current EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra for the portfolio of climate, net-zero and clean growth. Hoekstra, who replaced previous Green Deal commissioner Frans Timmermans, will also be responsible for taxation.

Other nominees include former Danish climate minister Dan Jorgensen, up for energy and housing commissioner. Former Swedish minister for EU affairs Jessika Roswall is proposed for a portfolio including environment and circular economy, and Luxembourgish Christophe Hansen, a former member of EU parliament, is proposed as agriculture and food commissioner.

Von der Leyen now needs to ensure that candidate-commissioners are approved by parliamentary committees and then by plenary. Hearings will also focus on candidates' abilities to implement policies. "Parliamentary scrutiny will not cut corners," European Parliament president Roberta Metsola said.

By Dafydd ab Iago

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10/10/24

Hurricane Milton leaves 3.4mn in the dark

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US inflation slows to 2.4pc in Sep

10/10/24

US inflation slows to 2.4pc in Sep

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Cop 29 president calls for progress on finance

10/10/24

Cop 29 president calls for progress on finance

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Strike starts at Chevron Australia's LNG sites: Update

10/10/24

Strike starts at Chevron Australia's LNG sites: Update

Adds comment from Altrad spokesperson in paragraph 3 Sydney, 10 October (Argus) — Members of Australian LNG workers' union the Offshore Alliance (OA) that are employed by companies owned by engineering firm Altrad are undertaking protected industrial action (PIA) at Chevron Australia's two LNG facilities. About 140 gas maintenance workers began rolling stoppages and work bans today because of dissatisfaction with negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining agreement, the OA said. The PIA can occur for 30 days from when the results of a union members' ballot was declared on 2 October, and may be extended if agreed by the Fair Work Commission. Altrad remains committed to the continuing bargaining process, a spokesperson for the firm said on 10 October, promising to "continue to seek an equitable outcome to negotiations" in the interests of employees and Altrad. Workers are demanding union rates and conditions on every offshore and onshore oil and gas facility, the OA said, promising to push back against baseline workplace agreements presently in place. Striking staff include technicians, scaffolders, riggers, painters and plasterers working for Altrad at the Chevron's 8.9mn t/yr Wheatstone LNG and 15.6mn t/yr Gorgon LNG facilities in Western Australia state, as well as Wheatstone's offshore platform. Chevron Australia is aware Altrad employees have started industrial action, but said no impact to production are expected. "Given the nature of the work undertaken by Altrad and the mitigations in place, it is not anticipated there will be any impact to LNG and domestic gas production nor to any critical business activities at our facilities," a Chevron spokesperson said on 10 October. The dispute comes almost 12 months after Chevron reached an agreement with the OA — formed by the Australian Workers' Union and Maritime Union of Australia — on three deals regarding pay and conditions at its LNG terminals and upstream facilities. By Tom Major Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Altrad Australia's workers strike at Chevron LNG sites

10/10/24

Altrad Australia's workers strike at Chevron LNG sites

Sydney, 10 October (Argus) — Members of Australian LNG workers' union the Offshore Alliance (OA) that are employed by companies owned by engineering firm Altrad are undertaking protected industrial action at Chevron Australia's two LNG facilities. About 140 gas maintenance workers began rolling stoppages and work bans today because of dissatisfaction with negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining agreement, the OA said. The workers include technicians, electrical and instrumentation technicians, scaffolders, riggers, painters and plasterers working for Altrad at the Chevron's 8.9mn t/yr Wheatstone LNG and 15.6mn t/yr Gorgon LNG facilities in Western Australia state, as well as Wheatstone's offshore platform. Chevron Australia is aware employees have started industrial action, a spokesperson said. But the firm does not anticipate any impact to LNG and domestic gas production or any critical business activities, given the nature of the work undertaken by Altrad and mitigations in place. Altrad was contacted for comment, but has yet to respond. Workers are demanding union rates and conditions on every offshore and onshore oil and gas facility, the OA said, promising to push back against baseline workplace agreements presently in place. The dispute comes almost 12 months after Chevron reached an agreement with the OA — formed by the Australian Workers' Union and Maritime Union of Australia — on three deals regarding pay and conditions at the LNG terminals and upstream facilities. By Tom Major Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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