91 Amendments of Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ related to 2015/2113(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)
Citation 22 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission communication entitled "The Future of Carbon Capture and Storage in Europe" (COM(2013)0180),
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas defining the energy mix of Member States is an exclusiveprimarily a national competence, and therefore energy mixes remain highly diversified to be framed in the context of developing the Energy Union and achieving at least the 2030 climate targets;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Member States are exclusively competent forarticle 194 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union recognises the right of Member States to defininge their energy mix, and the Commission must not encroach upon this competence by passing EU laws that discriminate against certain energy resources to the advantage of other, together with the European Parliament and the Council, should establish the general framework so as to ensure that national legislations are consistent with EU principles and policies;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Europe's leading role in renewables and efficiency is not only a matter of a responsible climate change policy but an industrial policy imperative in order to have access to affordable energy in the medium term;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 target of producing at least 30 % of total final energy consumption from renewable energy sources, implemented by means of individual national targets;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 energy efficiency target of 40 % implemented by means of individual national targets;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 target of reducing domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 % compared with 1990 levels;
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 77 #
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 consumensure the transition to a new energy model which empowers – households and businesses –to produce and consume secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy; other high priority goals include creating jobs and reducing energy poverty;
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 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas 30 million European jobs are at risk owing to the US shale gas boom, as energy-intensive industries move operations to the US, where energy costs are far lowerthe effective achievement of the Energy Union will create new jobs and growth by making Europe companies leaders in the global shift to a low-carbon economy;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P c (new)
Recital P c (new)
Pc. whereas EU energy and environmental policies should be driven by the strict application of the precaution principle;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas EU companies have a share of 40 % of all patents for renewable technologies and employ over a million people, which makes it a global leader as regards investment in renewable energy;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
S. whereas, notwithstanding its global dominance in investment in renewable energy, the World Energy Outlook 2014 predicts global energy demand to grow by 37 % and global coal demand by 15 % by 2040 worldwide, well over 100 GW of new renewable capacity has been added every year since 2011, which accounts for more than half of net capacity additions in the global power sector since 2011; whereas, therefore, additional efforts must be made in order for the EU to maintain the status of world leader in renewable energy deployment;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital T a (new)
Recital T a (new)
Ta. whereas switching energy suppliers is an extremely important tool to help drive competition in energy retail markets and bring down prices; however attention must be paid to the risk of less-informed citizens who are less likely to compare and switch providers being stranded on uncompetitive outdated tariffs, thus perversely subsidising the more savvy and informed consumers;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital T b (new)
Recital T b (new)
Tb. whereas the European Parliament has asked for binding targets for minimum cross-border transmission capacity;
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 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital U a (new)
Recital U a (new)
Ua. whereas new interconnections will also require additional reinforcements of the existing grid in order to fully use their capacity;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital X a (new)
Recital X a (new)
Xa. whereas it is recognised that Carbon, Capture and Storage can make a decisive contribution to fight climate change, and specifically can help reduce the cost of the transition to a decarbonised energy market and a low carbon economy;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises that the Energy Union should adopt a comprehensive approach focusing on dimensions such as achievement of a fully integrated internal energy market, security of supply, moderation of energy demand, decarbonisation of the energy mix, essentially based on renewable energy sources, and research and innovation aiming for energy technology leadership: stresses that European citizens should be at the core of the Energy Union; calls for bottom-up approaches and the recognition of the importance of a well- functioning, efficient and reliable energy system on the local level;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Shares the Commission's analysis on the need to move away from an economy driven by fossil fuels, an economy where energy is based on a centralised, supply- side approach and which relies on old technologies and outdated business models; believes that the transition to a new energy model needs to be accelerated; calls, therefore, for a revision of the 2030 targets in order to increase the ambition of the energy efficiency target to 40% and the renewable energy target to 45% and to implement them through binding national targets
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recognises that the projects currently included in the PCI list are not enough to reach the European interconnection target between the Iberian Peninsula and mainland Europe; urges the TEN-E Regional Group and the Commission to identify additional projects to be included in the upcoming PCI 2015 list in order to significantly increase the capacity between Spain and France;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that all EU infrastructure projects aimed at diversifying energy sources, suppliers and routes must be fully in line with EU legislation and EU energy security priorities while ensuring a high and efficient utilization of the already existing energy infrastructures;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that, in the context of the future Energy Union, security of energy supply is the most pressing issue and thatrequires to upgrade Member States must coordinateion and cooperate in this respection with their neighbours when developing their energy policies; calls on the Commission, in this respect, to examine how the current architecture of national preventive and emergency response measures could be streamlined at both regional and EU level;
Amendment 420 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that diversity in the energy mixes of Member States, based on their respective potential, experience, know-how and economictotal costs and needs, is an asset to the EU as a whole, since it strengthens its resilience to supply disruptions, enables it to make cost-optimal energy choices and allows different technologies to develop and compete on the market, thereby driving down the costs of energy, while contributing to the common goals on energy and climate strategy and policies;
Amendment 438 #
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 indigenousrenewable sources of energy, including conventional and unconv and the potentional 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;for energy efficiency in buildings and transport
Amendment 453 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 466 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Believes that the technological evolution of renewable energies currently underway contributes to make them a safe option to increase energy security by, for instance, combining different renewable energy sources and storage mechanisms;
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 477 #
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 support investment in the development of Europe's sustainable indigenous energy resources, based on a technology-neutral approachfull cost-benefit approach and on their effective contribution to the achievement of the EU targets under the 2030 energy and climate framework;
Amendment 495 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission, and in particular DG TRADE, to continue to press for a dedicated energy chapter within the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), with a view to removing US export restrictions on both crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and eliminating unjustified protectionist measures;
Amendment 514 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 534 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses that the backbone of the future Energy Union must be a fully functioning internal energy market that delivers secure, competitive and sustainsustainable and affordable energy to enable EU companies and consumers to access gas and electricity in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible; underlines that in order to assess real efficiency and cost effectiveness it is necessary to consider direct and external costs of the different energy sources, as well as the impact on their relative competitive position of all sorts of public interventions;
Amendment 549 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Notes de persistence of large price differentials between Member states due to the lack of market integration and interconnections, contravening the right of consumers to equally benefit from a single gas and electricity market; urges the Commission to accelerate the development of PCI projects and to ensure the achievement of higher price convergence across the Union;
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 562 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Considers that as part of any review of the retail energy markets, serious consideration should be given to further measures to protect consumers such as encouraging and promoting collective switching schemes, requiring energy bills to include comparisons with competitors based on historical consumption patterns, requiring suppliers to automatically place their customers on the most advantageous tariff available, and ensuring a limited, easily comparable range of standardised tariffs;
Amendment 601 #
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 and resources of 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 602 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses that a properly designed future model of the electricity market in the EU must aim at a more market-based and optimal, from the point of view of network security, integrationfully take into account the changing nature of energy supply and demand, including the increased uptake of micro- generation, demand-response technology and the ever-increasing share of renewable energy sources;
Amendment 623 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls for the development of well- integrated and competitive regional electricity and gas markets that ensure the adequacy and flexibility of the energy system covering all parts of the Union; demands that the Commission act decisively and transparently against all instances of protectionism, anti- competitive behaviour and barriers to market entry and exit; emphasises the importance to ensure stable national regulatory frameworks, address administrative barriers and stream-line national administrative procedures, also to guarantee a level playing field for citizens based projects;
Amendment 628 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Calls on the Commission to implement key infrastructure projects in order to ensure better integration with the EU energy market and security of supply mechanism;
Amendment 640 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Calls on the Commission to take steps to enhance interconnection by reducing permitting time for infrastructure projects;
Amendment 653 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Commission to shorten the lead time allowing projects to qualify as Projects of Common Interest (PCI), to ensure that new interconnector projects may receive EU support in a timely manner;
Amendment 655 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the European Commission to revise the PCI criteria to allow for smart grid projects to be prioritised, bearing in mind that distributed generation is connected to the distribution grids, which requires them to adapt to new dynamics through upgraded grids;
Amendment 656 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses that the deployment of smart distribution grids needs to be facilitated through accelerated permission procedures as well as political support and adapted regulatory frameworks for network operators, that recognise the changing needs for investments and incentivise investments in ICT and automation on an equal footing with traditional grid extension;
Amendment 696 #
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, the optimisation of existing infrastructure, as well as on storage capacity, such as LNG terminals and smart grids, in order to cope with enhanced renewable and distributed generation; calls on Member states to adapt their national networks for the increments of interconnection capacity to be effective;
Amendment 711 #
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; underlines that adequate measures have to be taken in order to guarantee data protection for consumers directly participating in the market;
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 719 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on the European Commission to adapt policies to the need of an increasingly decentralising energy system, giving long-term investments signals in renewable sources, effective energy efficiency measures and smart distribution networks that facilitate an efficient, reliable and flexible supply and demand of energy, providing energy security at local level;
Amendment 732 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Amendment 738 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
Amendment 744 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes that followingRegrets the European Council conclusions of 23 and 24 October 2014, by which post-2020 EU energy-efficiency targets must bare non-binding and do not apply at national level;
Amendment 751 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Recalls that the moderation of energy demand, in particular energy demand used for heating, through energy savings and energy efficiency is crucial for a number of reasons, impacting positively on the EU's energy security, competitiveness, economic growth and sustainability, as well as on energy affordability, combatting energy poverty and creating sustainable jobs; highlights in this regard, that according to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency investments represent the best return on investment of any energy resource; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to treat energy efficiency as an energy source in its own right representing the value of energy saved; underlines that energy efficiency and demand-side response shall compete on equal terms with generation capacity, taking due consideration of urgent and exceptional energy security problems and whenever is technically feasible; therefore encourages Member States to give energy efficiency primary consideration in their policies;
Amendment 760 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Stresses that a binding energy efficiency target would be the cost- efficient way to reduce Europe's energy dependency while at the same time protecting industry and households from rising energy bills; recalls that the European Parliament adopted in its resolutions of 5 February 2014 and 26 November 2014 three binding targets including an energy efficiency target of 40%, a renewables target of at least 30% and a GHG target of at least 40%; deplores in this context the lack of ambition on energy efficiency shown by the European Council in their October 2014 summit, in setting a non-binding target of just 27% with no individual targets for Member States;
Amendment 765 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)
Paragraph 29 c (new)
29b. Stresses that energy demand in the building sector is responsible for about 40 % of energy consumption in the EU and a third of natural gas use, and that it is therefore necessary to increase both the depth and the rate of building renovation and the use of sustainable energy sources in heating and cooling, through the right incentives in order to reduce energy demand; recommends the continuation of increasing energy efficiency standards for buildings taking account of and encouraging technical innovation; further recommends continued support for the construction of nearly zero-energy buildings as an additional crucial step in securing energy independence and a sustainable and secure energy system; emphasises in this context the need to develop innovative sources of private financing and encourages greater involvement of the European Investment Bank and the EFSI to complement national financing schemes to improve the competitiveness of industry and create more growth and jobs; this should also create benefits for citizens including a reduction in energy bills and an improvement in standards of living;
Amendment 776 #
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 energy and climate objectives; stresses, however, that gains in energy efficiency cannot replaceare complementary to 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 811 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Believes that the energy-efficiency target must work alongsideis vital to achieve the EU's energy and climate goals and strengthen the competitiveness of the EU economy vis-à- vis its major trade partners, building on the EU's competitive advantage in energy efficient technologies;
Amendment 813 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
Amendment 823 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses that a cautious revision of existing energy efficiency legislation, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive, is needed in order not to undermine national policies already in place which operate within the 2020 climate and energy framework; calls on the Commission to review the EU energy- efficiency legislation by no sooner than 2018;
Amendment 828 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive - especially the National Energy Efficiency Plans (NEEAPs) and National Renovation Strategies - and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive ; calls on the Commission to carry out a revision of the Energy Efficiency and Energy Performance of Buildings Directives in order to achieve the EU 2030 energy efficiency improvement target, putting a stronger emphasis on helping vulnerable consumers and tackling energy poverty; believes that in the context of this enforcement measurement and verification of energy efficiency improvements should be done on a regular basis; in this regards, measures for retro fitting of existing buildings should prioritize the most vulnerable consumers in low quality accommodation or social housing; conditions to target European funds for energy efficiency on vulnerable consumers should be put in place; criteria for a certain percentage of energy obligation schemes to target low income consumers should be set;
Amendment 850 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Acknowledges that local authorities and local companies of European cities undoubtedly make an important contribution to energy independence by increasing energy- efficiency through cogeneration, modernising district heating systems, increaspromoting advanced biofuels and renewable electricity ing the use oftransition to cleaner public transport, encouraging more active travel models and renovating buildings, deploying future-proof distribution infrastructure and promoting local renewable energy sources;
Amendment 852 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Notes the importance of integrating the planning of energy demand and supply at the level of the EU internal energy market, with priority given to demand reduction and decentralised solutions, in order to achieve cost-optimal security of supply and avoid unnecessary or over-dimensioned infrastructure investments and stranded costs;
Amendment 863 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Creating a low-emission economy and making Europe the global leader in renewables and other low-emission technologies
Amendment 870 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Underlines the crucial role of renewables in the EU in attaining its greenhouse gas reduction targeta secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy as well as in pursuing Europe's leadership in a green economy and developing new industries and technologies; underlines that, in this regard, the current market design should be improved by fully integrating renewables into the market and introducing cost- reflective balancing prices for all technologies;
Amendment 874 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Underlines the crucial role of renewables in the EU in attaining its greenhouse gas reduction targets; underlines that, in this regard, the current market design should be improved by fully integrating renewables into the market and introducing cost-reflective balancing prices, increasing energy security, reducing energy imports, improving air quality and creating employment;
Amendment 877 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to guarantee regulatory stability for renewable energies and to ensure the protection of investments made in compliance with EU energy targets; stresses the need to avoid retroactive changes in economic conditions of investments already made in renewable energy sources;
Amendment 891 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to encourage self- consumption and micro-generation through renewable energy schemes targeted at the most vulnerable consumers;
Amendment 902 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
Amendment 925 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
Amendment 930 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. StresRecognises 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 economyshould go hand in hand with the seek for reduction of energy costs and therefore a special treatment should be given to development of renewable energies; stresses, furthermore, that decarbonisation of EU economy requires a strong alignment between EU goals and Member States' policies;
Amendment 939 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Stresses that the commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emission must not undermine the EU economy's global competitiveness, particularly in the energy intensive sector and in other sectors and subsectors deemed to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage; stresses the need for compensation mechanisms and EU-harmonized measures different from the current state aid guidelines so as to offset, in all Member States, carbon costs passed through in the electricity bill, therefore securing a full level playing field; calls on the European Commission to put in place the appropriate tools to support energy efficiency in the high energy intensive sector deemed to be exposed to the risk of carbon leakage; considers, however, that the impact of the differentiated electricity prices due to the carbon footprint of the suppliers' energy mix is a legitimate competitive factor pertaining to each Member State's domestic choices;
Amendment 960 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Recognises that, besides renewable energies, other indigenous energy sources such as nuclear, clean coal technologies and fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage (CCS) wcould also make a fundamental contribution to EU energy security and decarbonisation, with shale gas facilitating the transition to a low- emission economy; believes, in this respect, that the Energy Union must reflect the need for the EU to use all low and low as an intermediate stage to a zero emission sources at Member States' disposaleconomy;
Amendment 987 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Believes that it is for Member States to determcoordination between EU and Member States´ energy policy strategies is key to define the best mix of policies and technologies to deliver decarbonisation and national climate change targets; recognises that in some areas, such as product standards, EU-level policies are the most effective, while in others Member States may choose to work togethera strong and reliable governance process is needed to guarantee such coordination and that European institutions should take any actions needed to reach that objective;
Amendment 1003 #
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, which would be selected based on a technology-neutral approach and on whether they are demonstrably consistent with attainment of the EU's 2030 greenhouse gas objectiveclimate and energy targets;
Amendment 1010 #
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 dueutmost consideration of requirements for environmental protection, improved air quality, biodiversity and the competitiveness of European industry;
Amendment 1034 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Calls on Member States to adopt a progressive approach towards the taxes, levies and subsidies included in electricity tariffs in order to avoid a disproportionately high share of energy expenditure for vulnerable consumers;
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 1046 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)
Paragraph 43 b (new)
43b. Urges the Commission to speed up the energy efficiency and the decarbonisation of the transport sector, in order to create the right market conditions for an increasing deployment of alternative fuels and to further promote the procurement of clean vehicles;
Amendment 1053 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Subheading 5
Promoting Research and Development, and Innovation
Amendment 1060 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Calls on the Commission to intensify its research efforts regarding the better use of Europe's sustainable indigenous resources, both conventional and unconventional; recalls that at least 85 %, of the energy challenge in the budget of Horizon 2020 shall be spent in non-fossil fuels areas, within which at least 15 % of the overall energy challenge budget shall be spent on market up-take activities of renewable and energy efficiency technologies;
Amendment 1085 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Stresses that the EU must collectively step up its efforts as regards efficient, low- emissionrenewables and energy efficiency technologies in order to meet its 2030 objectives and improve its energy security and facilitate economic recovery and calls the Commission to monitor compliance therewith;
Amendment 1092 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Believes that greater effort inthe improvement of the smart grids market and technologies together with the developingment of innovative low-emissionenergy efficiency technologies and solutions can bring significant long- term benefits in terms of reduced generation costs and reduced energy demand;
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 1112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Underlines that it should be a priority for the Member States to bring down the costs of less mature low-carbon energy technologies, particularlyrioritising those that contribute the most to the achievement of the EU's 2030 targets, such as less mature renewable technologies, as well as those that are also likely to be criticalcontribute to global decarbonisation, such as power plants fitted with CCS, and potential breakthrough technologies, such as power-to gas and electricity storage;
Amendment 1119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. Calls on the Commission to improve the conditions for deployment of CCS; believes that CCS could aid the transition to low carbon energy market, and that CCS could have an important role in reconciling the Energy Union's divergent objectives of a diverse, secure energy supply which simultaneously achieves the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to meet the EU's Roadmap 2050 targets;
Amendment 1135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Calls on the Commission to provide an explicit mapping of the different funding and financing instruments, such as the InvestEU programme, Connecting Europe (PCIs), R&D funds, structural funds, smart grid financing instruments (ERA-Net Plus), the Horizon 2020 programme (H2020), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR), the Connecting Europe Facility - Energy (CEF-E), NER 300,EFSI and Eurogia+, and to clarify the eligibility rules for each of these programmes, while taking into account the technology neutral approach; calls on the Commission to aim to provide more balanced support and spending throughout the EU to avoid creating a technological rift between regions;
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 1142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that all proposals forming part of the Energy Union follow the ordinary legislative procedure, thus fully involving the European Parliament at all stages and ensuring effective democratic oversight; expects the governance process foreseen for the implementation of the 2030 climate and energy targets to be transparent, democratic and fully involve the European Parliament;
Amendment 1151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)
Paragraph 49 b (new)
49b. Calls on the Member states and the EU institutions to accomplish an Energy Union where citizens take ownership of the energy transition by participating actively in the market through self- generation, efficient energy consumption or the formation of cooperatives for renewable energy generation;