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What it is

Bill would again allow oil, gas and mineral exploration in Spain

Admitted step 2 of 7 · Unfinished

It is a members’ bill. Introduced by parliamentary groups, the Senate, regional governments or citizens. It was introduced on 1 March 2023. Introduced by: Grupo Parlamentario VOX.

Official title: Private member's bill amending Law 7/2021, of 20 May, on climate change and energy transition, to include the concept of energy sovereignty and reverse the prohibition on the exploration, research and exploitation of Spain's own mineral and energy resources.

Follow this law

Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 122/000312· updated 11 Nov

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

  1. The bill, introduced by the VOX parliamentary group, would amend the Climate Change and Energy Transition Law to include the concept of energy sovereignty and again allow exploration and use of Spain's own mineral and energy resources.
  2. It changes the law's purpose and guiding principles: energy should be cheap, abundant and reliable, and energy policy should follow energy sovereignty, national interest and scientific rigor, among other principles.
  3. It replaces the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets so they fit energy sovereignty and national interests, instead of setting fixed deadlines.
  4. It deletes the articles that banned hydrocarbon exploration, radioactive mineral research, fossil fuel subsidies and coal permits, among others.
  5. It allows resubmitting exploration and extraction applications that were denied under the provisions now deleted, including those using high-volume hydraulic fracturing.
  6. It amends the Government Law so that the climate and natural environment impact of new rules is assessed with rationality and scientific evidence, not ideology.

Who it affects

  • Energy and mining companies: They could apply again for permits to explore and extract hydrocarbons, radioactive minerals and coal in Spain.
  • Consumers and families: The bill aims to lower electricity and fuel prices by reducing dependence on foreign energy.
  • Public administrations: They would no longer have to push emission-free mobility plans in municipalities, and the criteria for assessing the climate impact of rules would change.
  • The Government: It would have to issue the regulations needed to apply the law if it passes.

Words worth knowing

Soberanía energética (energy sovereignty)
A country's ability to secure the energy supply it needs, using its own resources and buying abroad on the best terms.
Proposición de ley (bill)
A text introduced by members of Congress to become a law. It is not approved yet.
Fracturación hidráulica (hydraulic fracturing)
A technique to extract gas and oil by injecting water underground at high pressure, also called fracking.
Hidrocarburos (hydrocarbons)
Fuels such as oil and natural gas.
Minerales radiactivos (radioactive minerals)
Minerals, such as uranium, used for example in nuclear power plants.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries

Where it stands

How far did it get?

It took 2 of 7 steps. It reached Admitted, and today it is unfinished.

  1. Introduced1 March 2023Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
  2. Admitted7 March 2023The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
  3. Amendmentsnot reachedGroups propose changes.
  4. Committeenot reachedA committee goes through the text in detail.
  5. Plenarynot reachedAll 350 deputies vote.
  6. Senatenot reachedThe Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
  7. BOEnot reachedIt is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 6 official steps on a timeline
Mar 2023Apr 202311. 1 March 2023: Presentación22. 7 March 2023: Boletín Oficial de las Cortes Generales Publicación desde 07/03/2023 hasta 10/03/202333. 7 March 2023: Calificación44. 10 March 2023: Gobierno Contestación desde 10/03/2023 hasta 20/04/202355. 20 April 2023: Pleno Toma en consideración desde 20/04/2023 hasta 30/05/202366. 30 May 2023: Concluido - (Caducado) desde 30/05/2023 hasta 16/06/2023

Was there a plenary vote?

We have no plenary vote linked to this law in the Congreso’s data.

What happens next

What happens now?

The legislature ended before it finished. To go on, someone would have to introduce it again in the new Cortes.

It has not been presented again yet.

Sources

Where does all this come from?

  • The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
  • Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
  • We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.

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