-- (Updates to add European Commission's statement)
The European Commission is said to be evaluating a plan to suspend methane emission penalties during periods of energy supply instability, such as the disruptions in the Middle East, London's Financial Times reported Wednesday.
The commission is scheduled to enforce new rules on monitoring, reporting and verifying methane leaks in January 2027. However, a new draft guidance seen by the news outlet stated that applying the fines amid an energy crisis could "worsen the security of supply situation, endangering continuity."
Under the original regulation, maximum penalties are up to 20% of annual revenue, but the new proposal suggests the fines could be shelved indefinitely and only be reinstated if "the risk to the security of supply is no longer present," the Financial Times added.
A European Commission spokesperson had no comment when reached by, saying the commission does not comment on leaked or internal documents.
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