Activities of Eugen FREUND related to 2015/2113(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Towards a European Energy Union (A8-0341/2015 - Marek Józef Gróbarczyk) DE
Amendments (40)
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas Article 194 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union specifies that EU energy policy shall aim to ensure the functioning of the energy market; ensure security of energy supply in the Union; promote energy efficiency and energy saving and the development of new and renewable forms of energy; and promote the interconnection of energy networks. All of this should be achieved in a spirit of solidarity between Member States;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Energy Union should be based on a transition away from fossil fuels and towards the three pillars of energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart infrastructure;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the Energy Union should be a new energy model for Europe, based on strong cross-cutting legislative grounds and strong objectives; governance of the Energy Union must be transparent; guaranteeing a stable framework and including the European Parliament in the decision making-process while promoting the role of local authorities and citizens;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the goal of a resilient Energy Union with an ambitious climate policy at its core is to give EU consumers – households and businesses – secure, sustainable, competitive, high quality and affordable energy;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the issue of energy poverty needs to be tackled within the framework of the Energy Union by empowering vulnerable consumers, improving energy efficiency for the most vulnerable and developing curative measures making energy affordable for those in need;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas energy poverty can be defined as the inability of a household to support an adequate level of energy supply so as to guarantee basic levels of comfort and health, due to a combination of low income, high energy prices and low quality housing stock;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the 2006 and 2009 gas disputes between Russia and transit-country Ukraine left many EU countries with severe shortages; whereas the disruptions show that measures taken so far to interconnect European energy markets, increase energy efficiency and deploy renewable energy sources have been insufficient to eliminate Europe's reliance on Russian gas;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas 30 million European jobs are at risk owing, besides other factors, to the US shale gas boom, as energy-intensive industries move operations to the US, where energy costs are far lower; and to inequalities of energy costs, which are currently very high;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. whereas better interconnection levels for electricity and gas will increase energy security while balancing supply and demand between the Member States; achieving a minimum binding target of 10% of electricity interconnections by 2020 will not only increase energy security while balancing supply and demand between the Member States and enabling a better integration of the renewable energies in the grid and the market, but it will also foster price convergence and increase benefits for consumers;
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to set up a comprehensive framework for the external dimension of the Energy Union, with specific reference to the promotion of strategic partnerships with producing and transit third countries and taking into account the current state of regional cooperation; previous and new strategic partnership should be considered and explored in order to enhance dialogue and cooperation on oil and natural gas, energy efficiency and renewable sources, trade and interconnections of the Energy Union with external electricity grids;
Amendment 406 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to establishdefine security of energy supply as a core objective and establish subsequently an EU-wide target for reducing energy import dependency and to publish regular progress reports in this respect;
Amendment 410 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to consider establishing an EU-wide target for reducing energy import dependency and to publish regular progress reports in this respect; however, considers that properly enforceable and binding targets or energy efficiency and renewable energies are the primary means of reducing import dependency; Calls on the Commission to propose a revision of the Regulation (EU) 994/2010 on security of gas supply with a view to enhancing reserves, possibly establishing common strategic reserves and so as to facilitate a switch from gas to renewable energy sources such as biomass, geothermal and solar thermal;
Amendment 430 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that the Union can reduce its dependency on particular suppliers and fuels by maximising its use of sustainable indigenous sources of energy, including conventional and unconventional low-emission fossil fuels and renewables, and therefore stresses that no fuel or technology contributing to energy security and climate goals should be discriminated against;and by creating a forward-looking energy system, prioritising energy efficiency and renewables, and thereby taking into consideration the cost effectiveness and life-cycle cost of different technologies.
Amendment 453 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 468 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Considers that the use of hydraulic fracturing in the Union entails risks and negative consequences for the climate, environment and public health, and threatens achievement of the EU's long- term decarbonisation goal. Furthermore, due to the limited potential of unconventional fuels to help meet the EU's future energy demand, coupled with high investment and exploitation costs, considers that hydraulic fracturing is not a promising technology. Therefore urges the Member States not to authorise any new exploration or extraction operations of unconventional fuels within the EU until it is proven, safe for the environment, citizens and workers;
Amendment 475 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to facilitate the effective use of existing EU funding schemes, including the European Fund for Strategic Investments, so as to supportfoster investment in the development of Europe's indigenous energy resourcess with a high social and economic value such as energy efficiency, based on a technology-neutral approach; it is an important engine for new jobs, increases energy security and helps achieving our climate goals.
Amendment 524 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Stresses the importance for strengthening energy independence of short-term measures such as reducing energy demand, development of renewables and their storage, storage of gas, development of reverse gas flow infrastructure, support of new projects, which enable maximum use of existing infrastructure, preparation of regional security of supply plans, and more effective use of the opportunities to import liquefied natural gas, especially in those Member States which are exclusively dependent on, or unduly vulnerable to, one single supplier of natural gas; draws attention to the key importance of improving links between Member States' networks in order to establish an integrated energy market; points out that for all these reasons there is a vital need for cooperation between the European cities and municipalities, regions, energy cooperatives and local initiatives in various sectors, the Commission, Member States, neighbouring countries, regulatory bodies, ACER transmission system operators, gas suppliers and storage operators;
Amendment 555 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls on the Commission to monitor the evolution of final energy prices in Europe, including taxes, levies, subsidies and any other hidden costs, with a view to identify actions that may help reduce such prices;
Amendment 591 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the need for full implementation and enforcement of existing EU energy legislation and for a swift adoption of ambitious European network codes and guidelines, which must go hand in hand with strengthening the competences ofthe democratic participation of Member states concerning the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSO-G);
Amendment 648 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to concentrate their efforts on driving forward projects of common interest (PCIs) forward, with a view to achieving a pan- European ‘super grid' with the capacityin order to transmit power across EU countries from multiple sources and therefore capenable of divertinga possible diversion of energy from surplus to deficit areas, thereby allowing the market to instantly respond to interruptions of supply wherever they occur;o areas with an energy deficit.
Amendment 694 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Points out that in order to successfully balance the internal market, investment is needed not only in interconnectors but also in, inter alia, reliable generation capacity such as flexible and firm renewable capacity, storage capacity, such as LNG terminals and smart grids, in order to cope with enhanced renewable and distributed generation;
Amendment 715 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the need to create a legislative framework that empowers consumers and makes them active participants in the market as investors and stakeholders; notes that consumers' involvement can be strengthened through, inter alia, energy cooperatives and micro-generation and enhanced transparency of prices and consumer choices; points out that such initiatives could contribute to reducing energy prices and help address serious social problems, such as fuel poverty; in this regard, ask the Commission to ensure that Member States fully implement the Third Energy Package and come up with a definition of vulnerable consumers; ask the Commission to gather impact assessments and collection of best practices of measures taken at national level to fight energy poverty and make sure that those best practices are centralised and promoted by a dedicated European body;
Amendment 743 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes that following the European Council's weak conclusions of 23 and 24 October 2014, post-2020 EU energy- efficiency targets must be non-binding and not apply at national level;
Amendment 774 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that improvements in energy- efficiency pursued on a cost-effective basis will make a key contribution to energy security, competitiveness and the achievement of climate objectives and also help to keep consumer expenditures low; stresses, however, that gains in energy efficiency cannot replace diversification of energy supply;
Amendment 786 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Recalls that 40% of the energy in Europe is consumed in buildings and that renovation rates are low, stresses that all existing legislation in this regard must be implemented fully and speedily, and that all forms of EU funding schemes must be easily understandable and accessible;
Amendment 805 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Believes that it will be importantthe best way to avoid any over-prescriptive legislation that canmight constrain domestic policy choices about how best to promote energy efficiency within a national context would be to have an EU level binding target, translated into individual national targets;
Amendment 813 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
Amendment 841 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Acknowledges that local authorities of European cities undoubtedly make an important contribution to energy independence by increasing energy- efficiency through cogeneration, modernising district heating and cooling systems, increasing the use of cleaner public transport, encouraging more active travel models and renovating buildings;
Amendment 855 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Considers that the different range of European funds which finance energy efficiency improvements should be better orientated and reprioritised towards making improvements among vulnerable, low-income consumers and tackling the issue of split incentives between the owner and tenant of a building or among owners;
Amendment 882 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to guarantee transparency, consistency, stability and continuity of regulatory renewable energy frameworks and to avoid retroactive changes in economic conditions of investments in order to strengthen investors' confidence and to contribute to a cost-efficient deployment of renewable energy across the EU regions; stresses the need for better coordination of support schemes in line with the European Commission Guidance on the design of renewable energy support schemes in order to avoid potential market distortion, and safeguard effective support for renewables;
Amendment 911 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses, however, that the EU must employ a technology-neutralsustainable approach to decarbonising our energy systems, adopting strategies for using and promoting not only renewable energy sources but also other low-emission sources of energy; calls on the Commission, in this respect, to revise its Energy and Environmental State Aid Guidelines in a way which will provide for an equitable treatment of energy production from differentsecure, sustainable and safe indigenous energy sources;
Amendment 929 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Stresses that decarbonisation which is not pursued through a technology-neutral approach could result in a drastic increase in energy costs in some Member States, which would lead to energy poverty, deindustrialisation of the European economy and a subsequent rise in unemployment; stresses that it therefore needs to be a sovereign decision of each Member State on how to decarbonise its economthe scourge of energy poverty needs to be tackled in order to reduce energy costs by coordinating Member states' action plans, exchanging best practise and defining a horizontal approach to energy affordability;
Amendment 994 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Calls on the Commission to put forward proposals for establishing a Modernisation Fund, which should have strict criteria and guidance to ensure that funding is targeted at genuine energy modernisation projects, and for possible redeployment, retraining and reskilling of the workforce which would be selected based on a technology-neutralsustainable approach and on whether they are demonstrably consistent with attainment of the EU's 2030 greenhouse gas objectives;
Amendment 1007 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the development of the Energy Union takes due consideration of requirements for environmental protection, biodiversity, employment and the competitiveness of European industry;
Amendment 1035 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Emphasises that energy must be made affordable to all citizens of the EU; considers that avoiding unnecessary consumption by undertaking efficiency improvements, stronger interconnections, higher market integration and sustainable energy investment, particularly in buildings, would enable many households to access on equal conditions a single, sustainable, competitive and secure energy market and escape energy poverty, which in 2012 affected one in four EU citizens; invites the Commission to present a communication on energy poverty in Europe, accompanied by an action plan to fight against it, which contains a definition and indicators of energy poverty;
Amendment 1101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Believes that the further development of an energy internal market is intrinsically linked to the Digital Single Market; Calls on the European Commission to promote the connection between the Energy Union and the Digital Single Market through the maximization of consumer access to energy services using digital platforms and through the development of an energy internal market which is more competitive, transparent and integrated in the digital economy;
Amendment 1117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Underlines that it should be a priority for the Member Statesresearch and development and innovation and in particular Horizon 2020 to bring down the costs of less mature low-carbon energy technologies, particularly those that are likely to be critical to global decarbonisation, such as power plants fitted with CCS, and potential breakthrough technologies, such as electricity storage and second and third generation biofuels;
Amendment 1138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49a. Stresses that the Commission should come forward with a proposal for a reliable and transparent governance system in 2015 in order to have an early indication of Member State contributions post-2020; takes the view that this governance system needs to be codified into legislation well ahead of 2020 to give investors certainty and clarity over their investment decisions; underlines in this regard the need for a strong and proactive role for the European Parliament with regard the design and development of the governance system;
Amendment 1141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49a. Calls on the Commission to promote a stable and transparent governance framework for the Energy Union that would ensure the 2030 objectives are achieved, through the full implementation, enforcement and strengthening of existing legislation such as the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive and the reform of the EU ETS;