Green outcry as EU blesses Spanish support of coal | Reuters

Green outcry as EU blesses Spanish support of coal | Reuters

Spain gained approval from Europe's competition watchdog on Wednesday to support unprofitable coal mining until 2015, which critics said would prop up an ailing sector to the detriment of the environment.

The decision coincides with a wave of strikes by Spanish coal miners demanding unpaid wages.

Under a decree passed by the Spanish government, 10 power generators will have to burn some domestic coal instead of cheaper imports.