If the operator did not comply, the IGAOT was authorised to take the necessary enforcement actions. A varying percentage of the fines goes to the Environmental Intervention Fund, to be spent in cases where site remediation is necessary after a facility has closed and no other financial or legal alternative exists. The law also harmonises Portuguese legislation with the EU Directive on public access to environmental information (2003/4/EC). For example, high precipitation levels and increased hydroelectric power production contributed to a subsequent reduction in SOx emissions from thermal plants in 2003. Hydroelectric power production fell in 2004 and 2005, leading to increased fossil fuel consumption and, consequently, higher SOx emissions. Daily limit values were not exceeded more than three times in a calendar year.