Commission questions the legality of Sivens dam

The European Commission opened on 26 November 2014 an infringement procedure against France for non-compliance with European directives, as well as misuse of European structural funds in its Sivens dam project.

According to EurActiv, environmentalists welcomed the decision to take action against what they see as a useless and environmentally harmful project.

French local authorities had already decided to suspend work on the dam after the death of an activist protesting against the project in October 2014.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 21.11.14: Brussels to scrutinise French Sivens dam project http://www.euractiv.com/sections/climate-environment/brussels-scrutinise-french-sivens-dam-project-310205

The Guardian, 31.10.14: France halts Sivens dam construction after protester’s death http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/31/france-halts-sivens-dam-protester-death

The New York Times, 01.11.14: In France, Dam Is the Catalyst for a Flood of Young People’s Anger http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/world/in-france-dam-is-the-catalyst-for-a-flood-of-young-peoples-anger.html

RFI, 29.10.14: French dam project may be suspended as police prime suspects in protester’s death http://www.english.rfi.fr/environment/20141029-french-dam-project-may-be-suspended-police-prime-suspects-protester-s-death

Euronews, 03.11.14: Protests continue over controversial French dam project http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/03/protests-continue-over-controversial-french-dam-project/

---