Approval of the decree law
The Permanent Delegation of the Parliament approved today the decree-law whose objective is to guarantee investments and aid to combat the drought and its consequences. This measure has been approved with the support of the PSC, ERC, Junts and En Comú Podem groups, while CUP, Cs and PPC have abstained and Vox has voted against.
Investments and aid
The decree-law contemplates a total of 145.2 million euros intended for investments and aid to deal with the drought. These measures include the following:
1. Funding of actions to provide water to the supply system of the internal basins
30 million euros have been allocated to finance possible actions to contribute water to the supply system of the internal basins. These actions include transporting water by boat and using portable desalination plants.
2. Expansion of the Besòs Drinking Water Treatment Station
An item of 27.5 million euros has been planned to expand the Besòs Drinking Water Treatment Station.
3. Improvement of the water network
18.6 million euros have been allocated to create deep wells and improve the water network.
4. Aid to the primary sector
50.5 million euros have been allocated to help the primary sector affected by the drought.
5. Interventions in forest fire prevention
Nine million euros have been earmarked for forest fire prevention interventions.
Reactions and ratings
The Councilor for Climate Action, David Mascort, has emphasized that this decree-law will make it possible to secure the investments planned for 2024 for emergency works and to guarantee the supply of water. Mascort has stated that this measure is a priority and cannot be postponed.
On the other hand, the opposition has applauded that this measure serves to alleviate the effects of the drought, but has criticized that the aid arrives late.
Emergency measures
The decree-law also contemplates emergency measures in case the drought reaches high levels. In this case, a portion of the money will be allocated to restore stability. Among these measures are new contributions of water resources to the supply system of the internal basins of Catalonia, such as the transport of drinking water by boat and the use of portable desalination plants. An item of 30 million euros has been planned for these actions.
It should be noted that these measures are temporary and not structural.
Support to the primary sector
The decree-law also includes specific measures to support the primary sector affected by the drought. New aid has been announced for the affected primary sectors, with a total of 50.5 million euros earmarked for this purpose. In addition, it has been planned to allocate 9.5 million euros to the increase in endowments for the ministry.