27 Amendments of Pervenche BERÈS related to 2015/2323(INI)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that the objective of the report is to provide a new deal for energy households consumers in the context of the energy transition;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Believes that an in-depth assessment should be made of the issues, obstacles and opportunities involved, with a view to ensuring that consumers can participate in a meaningful way in energy markets, and that, on the basis of a sound understanding of the situation and any difficulties and an appraisal of the instruments already in place, the EU and the Member States can bring forward new, targeted support measures;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point a
Paragraph 3 – point a
a. provide citizens with stable, affordable, sustainable, fair and transparent energy, and energy-efficient products and housing that use clean energy sources, which must be given priority;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point c
Paragraph 3 – point c
c. eradicate the causes and the effects (on the economy, health, etc.) of energy poverty;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point d
Paragraph 3 – point d
d. protect consumers from abusive, uncompetitive and unfair practices by suppliers and enable them to fully exercise their rights and to assess the market situation and the opportunities on offer;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that, as a general principle, the energy transition should result in a more decentralised and democratic energy system which benefits society as a whole, increases the involvement of citizens and local communities, in particular by creating synergies with distribution system operators, who are neutral market facilitators working in the public interest, and empowers them to own or share in the ownership of the production, distribution and storage of energy, while at the same time protecting the most vulnerable;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a
Paragraph 6 – point a
a. Recommends improving the transparency and clarity of bills, which should include simple, clear, comprehensive, appropriate, reliable and free information on the final price, with an explanation of the different taxes, levies and tariffs, together with information on the different energy sources and complaint handling, clear indication of contact points, and information on switching and energy efficiency measures; insists that clearunderstandable language must be used, with technical terms either avoided or clearly explained; requests the Commission to identify minimum standards in this respect;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point c
Paragraph 6 – point c
c. Recommends developing rules for price comparison tools to ensure that consumers can access independent, up-to-date and understandable comparison tools; believes Member States should develop accreditation schemes covering all price comparison tools, in line with CEER guidelines; calls for the development of at least one impartial price comparison tool per Member State;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point e
Paragraph 6 – point e
e. Recommends that consideration be given to requiring energy suppliers to automatically place customers on the most advantageous tariff, based on historic consumption patterns; notes, given that switching rates are low throughout Europe, that many households, especially the most vulnerable, are not engaged in the energy market and are stuck on outdated expensive tariffs;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point e
Paragraph 6 – point e
e. Recommends that consideration be given to requiring energy suppliers to automatically place customers on the most advantageous tariff, based on historic consumption patterns; notes, given that switching rates are low throughout Europe, that many households, especially the most vulnerable, are not engaged in the energy market and are stuck on outdated expensive tariffs; highlights the need to develop an inclusive energy market;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. ICriticises the fact that, despite the rules that have been laid down, procedures for switching supplier remain long and complicated, and insists that the provisions on switching, as set out in the Third Energy Package, should be fully implemented by Member States, and that national legislation must guarantee consumers the right to change suppliers in a quick, easy and cost-free way, with no termination fees or penalties;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Insists that the provisions of the directives on unfair commercial practices and consumer rights relating to doorstep selling, unfair terms or practices and aggressive marketing techniques be properly implemented and enforced by Member States so as to protect energy consumers; notes that complaints regarding door-step selling have increased in several countries and calls for a ban of these practices;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Insists that the provisions of the directives on unfair commercial practices and consumer rights relating to doorstep selling, unfair terms or practices and aggressive marketing techniques be properly implemented and enforced by Member States so as to protect energy consumers and to eliminate any harmful trends and practices in the area;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that local authorities, communities and individuals should form the backbone of the energy transition and should be actively supported to help them become energy producers and suppliers on an equal footing with other players with a dedicated approach to overcome hurdles;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses that distribution system operators (DSOs), as neutral facilitators and regulated bodies, play a key role in the energy transition by ensuring solidarity between the regions, given that a large proportion of renewable energy sources are connected to the distribution systems;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that access to capital, high upfront investment costs and long repayment periods represent barriers to the take-up of self-generation and energy efficiency measures; calls, therefore, for the development of new business models and innovative financial instruments such as collective purchasing to incentivise self-generation, consumption and energy efficiency for all consumers; suggests that this should become a priority for the EIB, EFSI and the Structural Funds;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that access to capital, high upfront investment costs and long repayment periods represent barriers to the take-up of self-generation and energy efficiency measures; calls, therefore, for the development of new business models and innovative financial instruments to incentivise self-generation, consumption and energy efficiency for all consumers; suggests that this should play a more significant role in this area and become a priority for the EIB, EFSI and the Structural Funds;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Considers it necessary for funds destined for local and regional authorities which contribute to the energy transition towards sustainable and inclusive EU retail energy markets to be accessible and sufficient;
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recommends reducing to an absolute minimum the administrative barriers to new self-generation capacity, and suggests replacing lengthysimplifying authorisation procedures with a simple notification requirement; suggests that the revision of the renewable energy directive could include specific provisions to remove barriers and promote community/cooperative energy schemes;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to step up its support for the Covenant of Mayors, so as to expand and further develop it as a tool to promote self-generation and energy efficiency measures, fight energy poverty, facilitate the exchange of best practices between all local authorities, regions and Member States, and ensure that all local authorities are aware of the financial support available to them; suggests setting up a 'European Territorial Forum' in order to identify the best local practices, encourage their spread throughout the EU, and better coordinate local initiatives with European policies;
Amendment 327 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Believes that consumers should have easy and timely access to their consumption data in both volume and monetary terms, to help them make informed decisions; believes that where smart meters are rolled out there should be a solid legal framework to ensure an end to back-billing and a rollout that is efficient and affordable for consumers and is free of charge for energy-poor consumers; insists that efficiency savings from smart meters should be shared on a fair basis between grid operators and usersenable distribution system operators to continue making investments and grid users to benefit from them;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that the processing and storage of citizens’ energy-related data should be managed by neutral entitiesStresses the need to adopt, as soon as possible, a strict framework at European level on security and protection of the private life as regards meter data; Believes that the processing and storage of citizens’ energy-related data should be managed by neutral and regulated entities – such as electricity distribution operators, which are recognised as market facilitators – and should comply with the existing EU legislation, which lays down that the ownership of all data lies with the citizen and that data should only be provided to third parties by explicit consent; considers that, in addition, citizens should be able to exercise their rights to correct and erase information;
Amendment 382 #
21. Calls for the development of a strong EU framework building on best national practices to fight energy poverty, including a broad, common but non- quantitative and open definition of energy poverty, focusing on the idea that access to affordable energy is a basic social right; urges the Commission to prioritise measures to alleviate energy poverty in upcoming legislative proposals and to present a dedicated action plan by mid- 2017; calls on the Commission to establish a European Year Against Energy Poverty;
Amendment 393 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Insists that better data availability and collection are essential in order to assess the situation and target assistance on energy-poor citizens as effectively as possible;
Amendment 394 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Stresses the importance of encouraging all synergies in this area – including those that may exist between local authorities and distribution system operators, which are able to provide the most information on levels of energy poverty and detect situations of risk – while fully respecting European and national data protection rules;
Amendment 403 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Considers that the Energy Union governance framework should include objectives and reporting from Member States for energy poverty, and that key indicators for energy poverty should be developed, insofar as possible and in view of national disparities and best practices;