Activities of Rebecca HARMS related to 2008/2239(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Consequences of the recent gas crisis - Second Strategic Energy Review - Challenge of energy efficiency through information and communication technologies (debate)
Amendments (43)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission communication entitled ‘Limiting Global Climate Change to 2 degrees Celsius: The way ahead for 2020 and beyond’ (COM(2007)0002),
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission communication entitled ‘A European Economic Recovery Plan’ (COM(2008)0800),
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 b (new)
Citation 14 b (new)
– having regard to the information note from the Commission on ITER status to the Competitiveness Council of 1-2 December 2008,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 27 a (new)
Citation 27 a (new)
– having regard to the Presidency conclusions of the Brussels European Council of 8 and 9 March 2007,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas any European energy policy must pursue three main objectives in an integral and concomitant manner, namelythe economic crisis has shown that only a complete shift of the energy policy in the EU will lead to a solution as regards security of supply and, solidarity among Member States, limitation of climate change,employment, and in social, environmental and economic growthterms,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU currently imports 50% of the commercial energy that it consumes and whereas, unless preventive measures are taken, this proportion could rise to 7065% by 2030,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the risks to the EU's security of supply are linkcreased toby the low level of investment, which, in all energy sectors, is leading to capacities which are stretched or even inadequate, making it necessary in particular to renew electricitack of vision towards an economy based on energy sobriety and the low level of investment, in particular at local and regional levels, in many generating plant at an estimated investment cost of € 900 bn by 2030gy and energy-related sectors,
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas from 2030, in order to alleviate the major risk of world energy shortages, the EU will have to have developed and programmed new sustainable energy technologies while having significantly reduced its energy consumption,
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas EU energy demand currently still continues to rise in most sectors, leaving energy efficiency potentials largely unexploited,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the Commission is bracing itself for “very substantial” cost increases in the ITER project compared to the budgeted costs, whereas this project is two years behind schedule two years after it was launched,
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reaffirms the threefold objective set for 2020 of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, achieving energy savings ofnd 30% in the case of an international agreement, reducing energy consumption by at least 20% and attaining a 20% share for renewables in primary energy consumption; calls on the EU and Member States to consider a reduction of 50 to 80% inbecome the most energy-efficient economy in order to actively contribute to the achievement of the 2°C climate objective; calls in that context for a reduction of at least 80% to 90% greenhouse gas emissions by 2050;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Strongly believes that reducing energy consumption is the absolute priority with a view to contributing to sustainable development, innovation, job creation and competitiveness objectives and is also a very effective and inexpensive way of improving energy security; calls on the Commission and Member States to make the 20% energy saving target by 2020 legally binding on Member States and to propose and implement consistent measures to secure its achievement;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the EU energy security and solidarity action plan; regrets however that this plan is too supply-oriented and does not lead to a real decentralised energy economy;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the key role of cities and municipalities towards the development of 100 % or highly efficient and renewable energy communities and cities, in particular in the framework of the “covenant of mayors initiative";
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes a very significant delay in the building of the priority and European- interest transport and energy networks; stresses that this low level of investment is acting as a brake on the proper functioning of the internal market and is responsible for the fact that, in all energy sectors, capacity is stretched or even inadequate; notes that the new wave of investment must be forward looking to take into account the need for adaptation for the impacts of climate change but also the changing way in which energy is consumed and produced and that decentralised energy systems must be matched with large renewable sources;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the idea of increasing European financing with the aim of encouraging investment in networks; advocates the establishment of a European fund to guarantee non- commercial risks of certain energy production and transmission projects of European interesnotes with interest the Commission's proposal to allocate - under the framework of the 2008 Economic Recovery Plan - EUR 5 billion of 2008/2009 unspent budgets in particular on new energy connections; asks for the Parliament to be fully involved when deciding on the final list of projects; considers decommissioning costs and the risk associated to an industrial activity to be 'commercial risks', i.e. liabilities must be fully assumed by the owners of the industrial activity or plant;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Supports the completion of the Mediterranean energy ring, linking Europe with the Southern Mediterranean through electricity and gas interconnections; in particular the ring is essential to develop the region's vast solar and wind energy potential;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Supports the announcement of a Baltic Interconnection Plan covering gas, electricity and storage in 2009 and emphasises its role for the realisation of the internal energy market and the integration of renewable energy sources;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Calls on the Commission to propose adequate measures to encourage interconnection and development of electricity networks to allow for the optimised integration and balancing of fluctuating renewable energy production on- and offshore;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 d (new)
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8d. Welcomes the proposal of a blueprint for a North Sea offshore grid to interconnect national electricity grids in North-West Europe and connect the planned offshore wind projects;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 e (new)
Paragraph 8 e (new)
8e. Welcomes the creation of a future European supergrid as suggested by the Commission;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission and Member States to draw up strategic guidelines intended for lasting application, while leaving it to private industrial undertakings to implement them, striking a balance between market mechanisms and regulation; stresses the importance of finalisingStresses the importance of finalising before the end of this legislature the negotiations on the legislative package on the internal energy market and calls on the Commission and Member States to set up an independent agency for cooperation between energy regulators, with strong and independent powers, including powers relating to security of supply;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on Member States to cooperate to draw up a European strategic plan with a view to multiannual programming of ththe Commission to come up with scenarios of the possible investment necessary to meet future electricity generationnergy needs on the basis of medium-term projections of energy requirements, in particular taking into account the energy saving potentials and targets;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that the completion of the market will be a success if it makes it possible ultimately to avoid volatility of energy prices and that Directive 2003/87/EC1, which is currently being revised, provides, in a comprehensible and predictable manner, an assessment of carbon dioxide costs; 1ensuring a fair market for all generators and grid connection, access and integration of new energy producers and technologies; OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32.
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the EU to cooperate with the democratic countries of North Africathe Mediterranean basin in view of their significant renewable energy resource potential and substantial opportunities for development of Africathis region;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on Member States to step up their technological cooperation with Japan, whose economy is totally dependent on imported energy and which has developed one of the most efficient energy systems in the world and notes that insulation and other energy efficiency measures in the EU building sector will significantly reduce the volume of imported gas, raising energy security while bringing additional economic benefits to the EU;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that, because of the high cost of strategic gas stocks, it is preferable to promote transparency of commercial stocks and diversification of connections; proposes, however, that Member States introduce emergency measures, such as strategic stocks of the order of 10% and/or contracts which can be interrupted in the event of a crisis; calls on the EU and its Member States to develop gas storage with fast-release capacity;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Urges the EU and its Member States to take all measure to reduce energy consumption in particular in the building, industry and transport sectors as well as regards urban planning and appliances; asks the Commission to make visible to citizens these integrated energy efficiency and renewables policies in launching the equivalent initiatives;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses the importance of public services, cities and municipalities in the decision- making process towards concrete measures related to energy saving and energy efficiency; considers that the design of towns and cities will need to change drastically;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for more efficient use of oil, particularly in the field of transport, which is the main sector in which this fuel is used; calls for the adoption of very ambitious medium-term objectives (for 2020) for vehicle consumption, while encouraging Member States to rethink their policies on goods and individual passenger transport, particularly in urban areas; considers that achieving a significant modal shift in transport towards more environmentally friendly options should be a key component of the EU’s strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Commission and Member States to revolutionisedrastically overhaul relations between agriculture and energy by means of a solar plan designed to equip the roofs of agricultural installations with solar panels or to provide local incentives for the use of used oils and production of biofuelsustainable local biomass resources;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Commission to increase the priority assigned to research into electricity storage and smart grids to enable better penetration of renewable energies;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Recalls that coal remaincurrently still is an element in the EU's supplies and an alternative to oil and gas; stresses, however, that the major disadvantage of coal lies in its very high rateper unit energy of carbon dioxide emissions;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Considers it essential to guarantee to European citizens that, in the EU, nuclear energy is used safely and transparently,transparently and at the highest technologically possible level of safety and does not distort the EU market through the use of credit guarantees and particularly as regardsing the financing of the management of nuclear waste;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Considers that neither in its Revised Illustrative Programme nor in the Strategic Review has the Commission examined the likely development of nuclear technology by 2050 or the position assigne absence of a reference to fusion in the Strategic Review to be justified given the delay to the ITER project, the dramatic escalation in ITER’s cost, including noting the criticism of the International Energy Agency over the level of funding given to fusion, when compared to other energy sources and the doubt, expressed toin the ITER controlled fusion projectSET Plan’s Technology Map, on there being a market for fusion technology in 30-40 years’ time;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Notes that a medium-term target of at least 20% renewable energy in the EU’s final energy consumption by 2020, while at the same time reducing energy consumption, puts Europe on track towards achieving much higher market shares in the longer term;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34b. Expects energy from a wide variety of renewable energy sources resources to be cheaper than energy from fossil sources or nuclear sources well before 2050;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 c (new)
Paragraph 34 c (new)
34c. Considers that reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80%-90% or more by mid century implies changing more than the infrastructure of our energy system; considers that the design of towns and cities will need to change and that societies will adopt new ways of transport, working and living;
Amendment 297 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 d (new)
Paragraph 34 d (new)
34d. Reminds the Commission that the EU has agreed to a strategy to limit global climate change to 2 degrees Celsius precisely to avoid the significant additional costs on society of higher temperature rises; seeks re-assurance from the Commission that, where it calls in its Strategic Energy Review for protecting energy infrastructure against climate impacts, such impacts are consistent with the scenario of a global temperature rise of no more than 2 degrees; and, in case the Commission’s strategy is now to adapt to a change in global temperature of over 2 degrees, demands a full debate on this change in strategy;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the Commission and Member States to devise a European energy policy which will permit a massive conversion to low carbon emissionenergy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to meet the growing needs for energy consumptionservices although there is a risk of a major crisis in the energy field; stresses that, while energy efficiency and energy saving remain a priority, as does the continued development of renewable energies, it willmay not be possible to overcome the energy resource deficit by 2030 unless the existing targets are achieved;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Calls on the Commission to performimplement the necessary measures derived from the ongoing feasibility studies of projects to develop wind power platforms in the North Sea and the project to build solar power stations in Africa;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Calls for the road map to make it possible to direct energy technology research and development in order to reduce the cost of renewable energies, with a view to energy storage and the success of fourth-generation nuclear reactors, and in order in particular to find an alternative to oil for transport, while highlighting solar energy, which is an infinite resource;