62 Amendments of Kathleen VAN BREMPT related to 2014/2153(INI)
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
Citation 20 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication on "Energy Roadmap 2050" (Com 2011/0885) and the initiative report of the European Parliament "Energy Roadmap 2050, a future with energy" (2012/2103 INI)
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU’s prosperity and security require a rational, highly efficient use of energy and a stable, affordable and sustainable energy supply;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas 61 % of gas consumedall imported gas in the European Union is used infor the heating of buildings and 75% of these are residential buildings; whereas any interruptions in gas supply leading to inadequate heating puts at risk the health and wellbeing of a large proportion of EU citizens;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU’s external energy bill represents more than EUR 1 billion per day – EUR 400 billion in 2013 – and more than one fifth of total EU imports; whereas money spent on importing fossil fuels contributes little to investment, jobs or growth in the Union, and therefore redirecting this money towards domestic investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart infrastructure would stimulate the construction, automotive and high-tech industries and their downstream suppliers, creating high-quality, high- skilled jobs which cannot be exported or delocalised;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. Whereas the global price for oil has dropped significantly taking the stress off economies all across the EU, thus providing an opportunity to take major steps in transforming our energy landscape into a sustainable one, by investing highly in renewable energy production and by grasping the energy efficiency potential tied up in several sectors including existing buildings;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas in the context of the crisis in Ukraine a reduction in natural gas consumption through greater energy efficiency and a greater renewables share of heating supply, together with, in the short term, the issue of ensuring a reliable natural gas supply is, are more important than ever;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas from the experience of 2006 and 2009, when Russia cut off gas supply to Ukraine, it is clear that the disruptions experienced, and excessive dependence on external energy suppliers, in some of the central and eastern European Member States evidenced the risks existing to security of energy supply;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. Notes that several Member States today support additional production capacity in order to guarantee the security of supply on their electricity market; that to this end various forms of capacity mechanisms are developed ranging from capacity fees, auctions of financial support, auctions of guarantees for a minimum return on investment, feed-in tariffs to systems of tradable capacity certificates that suppliers must obtain; that some of these mechanisms impedes a fair competition, give rise to additional advantages for incumbents at the expense of new entrants or of possible alternative investments in the field of energy efficiency or decentralised production, even if these investments can deliver the same security of supply at a lower cost; that none of the capacity mechanisms can prevent that the additional power production in times of peak demand, will be exported to neighbouring countries if higher prices are offered there;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. Whereas according to the Commission, energy efficiency, renewable energy and a smart infrastructure are the three "no-regrets options"; given that energy efficiency is the "first fuel" and is the cheapest and fastest way to lower the bills of EU households and industry, because renewable energy is produced in the EU and often nearby to the place of consumption creating sustainable local jobs, ensuring energy security and helping to reach our climate goals, and since a smart transmission and distribution net at an EU level can prevent overcapacity and black-outs in the member states;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas improved energy efficiency has partially decoupled economic growth from energy consumption over the last decade, and this process needs to continuebe stepped up;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. Whereas the conclusions from the European Council meeting of 22nd May 2013 called for priority to be given to phasing out environmentally or economically harmful subsidies, including for fossil fuels;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 energy efficiency target of 40 % implemented by means of individual national targets;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. 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 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L c (new)
Recital L c (new)
Lc. 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 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L d (new)
Recital L d (new)
Ld. whereas Commission President Juncker's political priorities for the next European Commission of 15 July 2014 included the commitment to make Europe's energy union the world number one in renewable energies
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas, alongside investment in transmission networks, investment in distribution networks is at least as crucial, certainly in view of the increasing decentralisation of the future energy landscape and the fact that 90% of the renewable energy generated is coupled with distribution networks;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Recital O a (new)
Oa. Whereas the Commission's Energy Roadmap 2050 finds that decarbonisation of the energy sector and a high renewables scenario is cheaper than a continuation of current policies, and that over time prices of energy from nuclear and fossil fuels will continue to rise, whereas the cost of renewables will decrease;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that equal energy security, affordable energy, competitiveness and sustainability in a fully integrated energy market constitute the main pillars for the creation of an Energy Union, which can be achieved by pooling resources, connecting networks, ensuring unified energy market regulation and establishing unified negotiating positions vis-à-vis third countries;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. In order to Complete the internal energy market we have to ensure that interconnectivity objectives are met by 2020 by benchmarking and ensuring financing for the European Projects of Common Interest increasing the EU's 2030 interconnectivity target to 15%.
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that the Energy Union, in addition to ensuring security of supply, should adopt a comprehensive approach focusing on key pillars such as achievement of a fully integrated internal energy market, moderation of energy demand, decarbonisation ofmaking the energy mix sustainable, and research and innovation;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to review the 2030 climate and energy package to increase the ambition of the energy efficiency target to 40% and the renewable energy sources target to 45% and implement them through binding national targets;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Emphasizes that the only way to reach energy security while at the same time keeping the energy prices affordable and reaching our climate goals; is to create a sustainable energy landscape, based on a high degree of energy efficiency, renewable energy and a smart infrastructure; moreover stresses that the right actions need to be taken today in order to create this transition for the future generations;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the moderation of energy demand through energy efficiency is triply crucial,crucial for a number of reasons, inter alia impacting positively on the EU’s energy security, competitiveness and sustainability, as well as on energy affordability, combating energy poverty and creating sustainable jobs;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the EU is not yet on track to meet its commitment of saving 20 % of energy (371 Mtoe) by 2020, and that over one third of reduced energy consumption is actually attributable to lower levels of economic activity; therefore emphasizes that stronger measures need to be put in place to speed up energy efficiency actions and asks the Commission to propose new and strengthened measures to ensure that the 2017 National Energy Efficiency Action Plans deliver and to urgently come forward with a clear ambitious and binding policy framework for 2030;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that energy demand in the building sector is responsible for about 40 % of energy consumption in the EU and a third61 % of natural gas use, and that it is therefore necessary to speed up renovation of buildings in order to reduce energy demand while encouraging greater involvement of the European Investment Bank and promoting energy services for which EU funds can stimulate national investment and complement national financing schemes;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Calls on the Commission to set clear targets for the renovation of building stock across the EU;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Acknowledges that the role of local authorities of European cities in increasing energy efficiency through better urban planning, cogeneration, modernisation of district and individual heating systems, increasing the use of cleaner public transport, encouraging more active travel models and renovation of buildings is also undoubtedly an importa, developing and implementing Smart Cities-solutions and supporting urban electro-mobility; adds that resource and energy efficient constribuction to energy independenceand renovation of buildings is also a crucial step in securing energy independence and a sustainable and secure energy system;
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Local authorities also have a role to play in promoting alternative financing instruments including co-operative models and in the promotion of collective buying agreements to enable consumers to combine their energy demands and therefore lead to cheaper energy prices;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to carry out a limited review of the Energy Efficiency Directive in order to update the provisions relevant to the indicative 2030 energy efficiency improvement target of at least 27 %; believes that measurement and verification of energy efficiency improvements should be an integr; believes that a binding EU 2030 energy efficiency target of 40 % to be implemented by means of individual national ptart of the annual European semester reportinggets is the most cost-efficient way to reduce Europe's energy dependency while at the same time protecting industry and households from rising energy bills;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls also on the Commission to update existing Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives to ensure a renewed focus on energy efficiency in consumer products;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Reminds that regarding energy security, planning and balancing demand and supply; measures on the demand side are as important as measures on the supply side, those measures can be, amongst others, the optimal use of the smart distribution net, smart appliances, demand side management focussed on consumer benefits and micro-generation of renewable energy combined with local storage of energy;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers that investment to moderate energy demand, especially in buildings, is a significant contribution to energy security and also to job creation, tackling energy poverty and environmental concerns, and that this should be taken into account when considering financial allocations;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to consider starting an awareness-raising campaign for European citizens on how to reduce energy consumption in households with easy and cost-efficient methods highlighting the possible savings on their energy bills; calls on the Commission to consider declaring 2016 the European year of Energy Savings
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Increasing indigenous sustainable energy production
Amendment 348 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Underlines the increasingly important role of energy from renewable sources for securing energy supply in the European Union in the long term; Draws the attention to the fact that the production costs of renewables have considerably dropped during the last years
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that a long-term strategy for developing indigenous energy sources should be further promoted in the EU, with a particular focus on renewable and sustainable energy sources; emphasises that increased indigenous energy production must not increase nor prolong European dependence on fossil fuels;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. On the basis of the precautionary principle and on the principle that preventive action should be taken, taking into account the risks and the negative climate, environmental and health impacts involved in hydraulic fracturing for the exploitation of unconventional fracking and the gaps identified in the EU regulatory regime for shale gas activities, urges Member States not to authorise any new unconventional hydraulic fracturing operations in the EU
Amendment 367 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Reminds that energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart infrastructure are the "no-regrets" options, because they represent the fastest and cheapest way to ensure our energy security while keeping the prices affordable, helping to reach our climate goals and creating millions of jobs in the EU;
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. 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 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers that any energy source that might contribute to energy security in the Union should be taken into account andEurope faces a fundamental energy transition towards a sustainable energy model; Therefore energy efficiency and energy from renewable sources should be taken into account with absolute priority when it comes to the financing of new projects and be developed in full compliance with environmental requirements; with a view to meet Europe's two degree climate target
Amendment 394 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Amendment 405 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. ConsiderUnderlines that nuclear energy, w entails hicgh is carbon-neutral, continues to be a significant alternative for electricity productionenvironmental risks and uncertainty over decommissioning costs; notes that the choice of whether to use nuclear energy remains the competence of Member States; calls on the Commission to phase out subsidies for the construction of new nuclear energy plants as a strong political signal and commitment to a sustainable energy model
Amendment 410 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Considers that nuclear energy, which is carbon-neutral, continues to be a significant alternative for electricity production; notes that the choice of whether to use nuclear energy remains the competence of Member States; is still produced and used in many member states, notes that the choice of whether to use nuclear energy remains the competence of Member States, however points out that regarding safety and security, the EU should set the highest standards as to avoid accidents and disasters as much possible, despite the knowledge that there is no such thing as a zero risk nuclear power plant;
Amendment 438 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. BelievNotes that the development of renewable energy sources with the objective of 20 % by 2020 and at least 27 % by 2030 is essential, taking into consideration energy costs; stresses the importance oftechnological 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; stresses the importance of enhancing research and innovation in developing smarter energy grids and new energy storage solutions for the integration of renewables;
Amendment 448 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls on the Commission to take account, in the planned review of Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 concerning measures to safeguard security of gas supply, of the objective to move towards a sustainable energy landscape by, inter alia, calling on Member States to put forward a strategy to encourage a shift from gas to renewable solutions for both energy and heating supply;
Amendment 461 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that a more decentralised energy system, with power sources being placed closer to the point of usage, diminishes the risk of attacking vulnerable infrastructure and simultaneously provides business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises; calls on the Commission and the Member States, therefore, to facilitate further development of local renewable energy sources and of local distribution networks and heating networks;
Amendment 475 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Stresses that, as part of the process of approving major infrastructure projects, consideration must be given at all times as to whether the same energy security results cannot be achieved through smaller-scale projects, energy efficiency measures or smart adjustments to transmission or distribution networks, with a view to preventing overcapacity and stalled projects and to investing scarce resources as efficiently as possible;
Amendment 504 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Emphasises the need to give priority to education, training programmes and sharing of best practices between Member States in the field of innovative energy technologies that have the potential to secure our future energy supplies;
Amendment 528 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses that the commitment toConsiders that reducing greenhouse gas emissions must not underminecontributes to the EU economy’s global competitiveness; considers, therefore, that a complexand therefore stresses that a balanced and coherent approach to climate change and competitiveness is needed to ensure the sustainability of Europe's economy;
Amendment 533 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses the importance of increased flexibility of the system to improve energy efficiency; calls on further efforts to be put on the development of additional sources of flexibility such as energy storage technologies and demand-side responsiveness;
Amendment 535 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Commission to examine how to create a level-playing field between European and non-European producers, in particular by studying the feasibility of a carbon border-adjustment mechanism or emission standards;
Amendment 541 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make full use, for the purposes of increased energy security and the transition to a low-carbon economy, of the possibilities allowed for financing sustainable energy projects through state aid, as well as the financial instruments available through the European Regional Development Fund, Horizon 2020, the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument, and the investment facilities of the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and public and private intermediaries; emphasises that national subsidy schemes should by no means be granted for the construction of new nuclear energy plants.
Amendment 549 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make full use, for the purposes of increased energy security and the transition to a low-carbonsustainable economy, of the possibilities allowed for financing energy projects through state aid, as well as the financial instruments available through the European Regional Development Fund, Horizon 2020, the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument, and the investment facilities of the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and public and private intermediaries;
Amendment 572 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for the development of well- integrated and competitive regional electricity and gas markets – including, where necessary, capacity markets – covering all parts of the Union; demands that the Commission act decisively against all instances of anti-competitive behaviour and barriers to market entry and exit; produce guidelines for streamlining capacity mechanisms so that they do not result in anti-competitive behaviour and barriers to market entry and exit, they prevent windfall profits for existing production facilities and, in addition, they support new production capacity and a reduction and shift in demand;
Amendment 583 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the Commission to develop a harmonised or uniform European forward capacity market; meanwhile presenting guidelines to which national capacity mechanisms must comply; making sure that in these guidelines capacity support is not favouring incumbents, is not distorting competition and offers equal opportunities to smaller- scale decentralized production and to demand side management if these are more efficient in reaching the required energy security;
Amendment 584 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Acknowledges that capacity remuneration mechanisms in the EU electricity market might be necessary in certain circumstances; stresses the need for a coordinated approach on European level to avoid inefficiencies or overcapacity in the European market; stresses the fact that alternative solutions such as better interconnectivity and flexibility resources needs to be explored before;
Amendment 617 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Stresses the importance of a high and efficient utilisation of the already existing energy infrastructure; Therefore urges the Commission to improve its actions as regards to tackling congestion and bottlenecks in the European energy system;
Amendment 669 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Emphasises the need to optimise the use of energy infrastructures that are already built in order to reduce investment costs; calls on Member states to increase their interconnection capacity to achieve, at least, an optimal level of integration of the EU energy market and to adapt their national networks for the increments of interconnection capacity to be effective.
Amendment 674 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Emphasises that energy must be made affordable to all citizens of the EU; considers that avoiding unnecessary consumption, efficiency improvements and sustainable energy investment, particularly in buildings, would enable many households to escape energy poverty which affected one in four EU citizens in 2012; highlights that the problem is likely to worsen given unstable energy security and underlines that while fuel subsidies can provide a respite, this is a temporary solution and subsidies remain an unsustainable option for reducing energy poverty; highlights the inequality of energy poverty in that the pricing structure for customers means that the poor pay more for their energy; invites the Commission to present a communication on energy poverty in Europe, accompanied by an action plan to fight against it; believes that the communication should contain a definition of energy poverty and develop national indicators in order to measure the incidence and evolution of energy poverty in the Union, as well as the efficacy of the measures to be undertaken;
Amendment 678 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Emphasises that energy must be made affordable to all citizens of the EU; considers that avoiding unnecessary consumption, efficiency improvements and sustainable energy investment, particularly in buildings, would enable many households to escape energy poverty; invites the Commission to present a communication on energy poverty in Europe, accompanied by an action plan to fight against it; believes that the communication should contain a definition of energy poverty and develop national indicators in order to measure the incidence and evolution of energy poverty in the Union, as well as the efficacy of the measures to be undertaken;
Amendment 809 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Fully aAgrees with the European Council that a reliable, democratic and transparent governance system should be developed to help ensure that the EU meets its energy policy goals, with the necessstrengthen according to the Treaties and following the ordinary flexibility for Member States and on a basis of full respect for their freedom to determine their energy mixgislative procedure in order to help ensure that the EU meets its energy and climate policy goals;