European Commission plans to create a new department for energy and climate change have been criticised by members of the European Parliament (MEPs), the European Voice reports.

In a letter to Jose Manuel Barosso, the president of the Commission, the MEPs say they are “astonished” that the new department may be established. They express concern that combining energy and climate change in one department presents “a risk that short term economic interest would interfere and conflict with the aim of designing effective and sustainable climate priorities”.

Currently energy and climate change are dealt with in separate directorates.

The MEPs also fear that “internal speculation” within the Commission about the new directorate and its responsibilities could be “highly damaging” to the EU’s preparations and performance in the climate change negotiations due to take in Copenhagen, Denmark in December this year.

Last year, the EU Observer reported that detailed proposals for the scope and structure for the new directorate would be expected by 1 May.