EU delays Spanish coal state aid decision

EU antitrust regulators shelved a decision on a Spanish plan to double aid to its coal-mining industry to after the summer break, a European Commission spokesman said on Tuesday.

Spain passed a decree in February to compensate utilities for burning domestic coal and now needs regulatory approval in line with EU state aid rules.

The spokesman did not provide details for the delay which came after the regular weekly meeting of EU commissioners.

Sources with direct knowledge of the matter have told Reuters the European Union executive was split on the issue, with some commissioners questioning the validity of Spanish arguments.