A4-0085/99

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community (1998-2002) - ALTENER II (COM(97)0550 - C4-0071/98 - 97/0370(SYN)

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 3

>Original text>

Whereas, at its meeting on 29 October 1990, the Council announced its objective of stabilising total CO2 emissions by 2000 at the 1990 level in the Community as a whole; whereas at its meetings in March and June 1997, the Council adopted as a negotiating position for the Kyoto meeting under the Convention on Climate Change a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 7.5% by 2005 and 15% by 2010 compared with 1990 levels;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, at its meeting on 29 October 1990, the Council announced its objective of stabilising total CO2 emissions by 2000 at the 1990 level in the Community as a whole;

having regard to the undertaking given by the EU in the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention to the effect that an 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the years 2008 to 2012 compared with 1990 levels would be achieved;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 4

>Original text>

Whereas to achieve significant reductions in CO2 emissions in the Community greater efforts are required, particularly in view of the fact that CO2 emissions from energy consumption in the Community are likely to increase by between 5 and 8% between 1995 and 2000, assuming normal economic growth; whereas it is, therefore, essential to adopt additional measures;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas to achieve significant reductions in CO2 emissions in the Community greater efforts are required

in the light of the above-mentioned Kyoto Compromise, particularly in view of the fact that CO2 emissions from energy consumption in the Community are likely to increase by between 5 and 8% between 1995 and 2000, assuming normal economic growth; whereas it is, therefore, essential to adopt additional measures; whereas one of the few measures which would genuinely help to achieve the above objective is energy efficiency and a much more intensive use of renewable energy sources, as confirmed at the meeting of EU Environment Ministers held in Graz (Austria) on 17-19 July 1998;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 8

>Original text>

Whereas in its resolution of 4 July 1996(1) the European Parliament calls on the Commission to implement a Community action plan to promote renewable energy sources;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas in its resolution of 4 July 1996(

1) the European Parliament calls on the Commission to adopt a Community action plan to promote renewable energy sources, in accordance with the proposal put forward at the 1994 Madrid Conference;

>Original text>

___________

(1) A4-0188/96 - EP 251.039.

>Text following EP vote>

________________

(1) OJ C 211, 22.7.1996, p. 27.

(Amendment 4)

Recital 9

>Original text>

Whereas with the Green Paper of 20 November 1996, Energy for the Future: Renewable sources of energy, the Commission started the process of the development and subsequent implementation of a Community strategy and an action plan on renewable energy sources (RES);

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas with the Green Paper of 20 November 1996, Energy for the Future: Renewable sources of energy, the Commission started the process of the development and subsequent implementation of a Community strategy and an action plan on renewable energy sources (RES)

, and whereas these are laid down, together with a 'campaign for take-off', in its White Paper of the same title, dated 26 November 1997(1);

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

___________

(1) COM(97)0599 final of 26.11.1997.

(Amendment 5)

Recital 9a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in its resolution of 15 May 1997 on the communication from the Commission on Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy - Green Paper for a Community Strategy(1), the European Parliament urges the Commission to adopt, as soon as possible, a strengthened Altener II programme, and whereas in its resolution of 18 June 1998 on the Commission communication: Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy - White Paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan(2), it calls for a clear increase in funding for the Altener programme in the energy framework programme;

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

______________

(1) OJ C 167, 2.6.1997, p. 160.

(2) OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p. 215.

(Amendment 6)

Recital 9b (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in its resolution of 14 November 1996(1) on the Commission White Paper on an energy policy for the European Union, the European Parliament calls on the Commission to develop a financial programme to stimulate renewable energy; whereas, in its abovementioned resolution of 15 May 1997 the European Parliament calls for attention to be paid to the possibility of coordinating policies and initiatives in the sphere of energy saving and energy efficiency in order to develop potential existing synergies and avoid duplication of efforts wherever possible, and whereas, in its abovementioned resolution of 18 June 1998, the European Parliament calls for a Charter on Renewable Energies (EURENEW) to be drawn up;

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

___________

(1) OJ C 362, 2.12.1996, p. 279.

(Amendment 7)

Recital 10a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas Article 8 of European Parliament and Council Directive 96/92/EC of 19 December 1996 on common rules for the internal market in electricity(1) allows the Member States to promote the market penetration of electricity generated from renewable energy sources and to give them priority;

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

___________

(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.1997, p. 20.

(Amendment 8)

Recital 16

>Original text>

Whereas the Commission has presented to the Council and the European Parliament its proposals relating to the 5th RTD Framework Programme;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas

, furthermore, the Fifth Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration projects, in the specific programme thereof entitled 'Conservation of the ecosystem', devotes particular attention to efficient and renewable energy technologies, and whereas the Altener II programme should once again constitute a valuable instrument complementing the 5th RTD Framework Programme;

(Amendment 9)

Recital 18

>Original text>

Whereas a strengthened ALTENER II programme represents an essential instrument for developing the potential of renewable energy sources;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas a strengthened ALTENER II programme represents an essential instrument for developing the potential of renewable energy sources

and whereas the latter should account for a reasonable share of the European internal energy market so that a cleaner, more autochtonous and more diversified supply results;

(Amendment 10)

Recital 19

>Original text>

Whereas in implementing the programme, there should be close cooperation with other Community actions and programmes also concerned with promoting renewable energy sources;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas in implementing the programme, there should be close cooperation with other Community actions and programmes also concerned with promoting renewable energy sources

and whereas efforts should be made to develop possible complementarity with initiatives relating to other clean, efficient energy technologies;

(Amendment 11)

Recital 19a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in order to ensure proper development of the Community strategy relating to clean, renewable energy technologies, the Commission needs appropriate means of monitoring and assessing the various initiatives;

(Amendment 12)

Recital 19b (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the development of renewable energy sources can help to create a competitive energy system for the whole of Europe and to develop a European renewable energy industry with extensive opportunities for the export of know-how and for investment in third countries with Community participation;

(Amendment 13)

Article 1(1) first subparagraph (a)

>Original text>

(a) help create the necessary conditions for the implementation of a Community action plan for renewable energy sources, and in particular the legal, socioeconomic and administrative conditions, and to

>Text following EP vote>

(a)

help create the necessary conditions for implementing the Community strategy and action plan and boosting the launch campaign, as called for in the abovementioned Commission White Paper of 26 November 1997 entitled 'Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy', and in particular the legal, socioeconomic and administrative conditions, and to

(Amendment 15)

Article 1(1) first subparagraph (ba) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

(ba)

establish the bases for the development of new instruments and mechanisms which will allow faster coordinated market penetration of all sustainable energy technologies.

(Amendment 14)

Article 1(1), 3rd subparagraph

>Original text>

These two objectives contribute to achieving the overall Community objectives and concerns of limiting CO2 emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the energy balance, reducing energy import dependence, ensuring the security of energy supply and fostering economic development, economic and social cohesion and regional and local development.

>Text following EP vote>

These two objectives contribute to achieving the overall Community objectives and concerns of limiting CO2 emissions,

contributing to the energy balance through the achievement of the target of replacing, by the year 2010, at least the equivalent of 15% of the demand for primary energy in the European Union, increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the energy balance, reducing energy import dependence, ensuring the security of energy supply, creating new jobs and fostering economic development, economic and social cohesion and regional and local development.

(Amendment 16)

Article 2(a)

>Original text>

(a) Studies and other actions, intended to implement and complement Community measures taken to develop the potential of renewable energy sources. These include the development of sectoral and market strategies, the development of norms and standards, grouped procurement and the analysis of the legal, socioeconomic and administrative conditions which are more favourable to the market penetration of renewable energies and the preparation of appropriate legislation;

>Text following EP vote>

(a)

Studies and other actions, intended to implement and complement Community measures and those of the Member States and the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe which are taken to develop the potential of renewable energy sources. These include the development of sectoral, market and public-awareness strategies, the development of norms and standards which are conducive to innovation, with due regard to the interests of small and medium-sized businesses, grouped procurement, comparative project-related analyses concerned with environmental effects and the difference in cost over the long term of using conventional as compared with renewable energy sources, and the analysis of the legal, socio-economic and administrative conditions which are more favourable to the market penetration of renewable energies and the preparation of appropriate legislation, the development of mechanisms to increase the competitiveness of renewable energies and facilitate the access thereof to commercial distribution networks and channels, and in particular the development of improved methods for assessing the costs and benefits derived from the use of such energies which are not reflected in market prices.

(Amendment 17)

Article 2(b), indents 3-5

>Original text>

- new financial and market instruments,

>Text following EP vote>

-

new financial products and market instruments.

>Original text>

- information,

>Text following EP vote>

>Original text>

- education and training;

>Text following EP vote>

(Amendment 18)

Article 2(c)

>Original text>

(c) Measures proposed by the Commission to encourage the exchange of experience and know-how aimed at improving coordination between international, Community, national, regional and local activities, establishment of a centralised system for collecting and circulating information and know-how on renewable energy sources;

>Text following EP vote>

(c) Measures to develop information, education and training structures; measures to encourage the exchange of experience and know-how aimed at improving coordination between international, Community, national, regional and local activities, establishment of a centralised system for collecting and circulating information and know-how on renewable energy sources;

(Amendment 19)

Article 2(d)

>Original text>

(d) Measures to encourage the exchange of experience and know-how, proposed by an entity other than the Commission;

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 20)

Article 2(e), 1st paragraph

>Original text>

(e) Targeted actions facilitating the market penetration of renewable energy sources and encouraging investment, by assisting the preparation, presentation and implementation of projects.

>Text following EP vote>

(e)

Targeted actions facilitating the market penetration of renewable energy sources and encouraging investment, by assisting the preparation, presentation and implementation of projects, in particular actions to support the transition stage between demonstration and marketing.

(Amendment 21)

Article 2(f), indents

>Original text>

- monitor the implementation of the Community strategy and action plan for the development of renewable energy sources,

>Text following EP vote>

-

monitor the implementation of the Community strategy and action plan for the development of renewable energy sources,

>Original text>

- support initiatives taken in implementing the action plan, particularly with a view to promoting better coordination and greater synergy between actions, including all Community funded activities,

>Text following EP vote>

-

support initiatives taken in implementing the action plan, particularly with a view to promoting better coordination and greater synergy between actions (especially with ones involving other sustainable energy technologies), including all Community funded activities and those funded by other financing bodies, such as the European Investment Bank,

>Original text>

- monitor the progress achieved by the Community and its Member States with regard to the development of renewable energy sources,

>Text following EP vote>

-

monitor the progress achieved by the Community and its Member States with regard to the development of renewable energy sources and improve the monitoring arrangements so as to enable the Community objectives and corresponding requests for funding to be distributed amongst the Member States,

>Original text>

- evaluate the impact and cost effectiveness of measures undertaken under this programme. This evaluation shall also take into account the environmental and social aspects.

>Text following EP vote>

-

evaluate the impact and cost effectiveness of measures undertaken under this programme. This evaluation shall also take into account the environmental and social aspects and in particular the impact on employment.

(Amendment 22)

Article 2(f), indent 4a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

- promote significantly the export of technology in the form of renewable energy sources through the greater inclusion thereof in the energy and cooperation areas of external policy, and by strengthening the European Renewable Energies Export Council.

(Amendment 30)

Article 2(f), indent 4b (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

- monitor the progress achieved by the Community and its Member States in the development of renewable energy sources, with particular reference to taxation, charges, the ease with which such energy forms can be sold and the distribution network accessed, and also the simplification of the administrative formalities and other incentives or obstacles to the development of those energy forms which are a consequence of the rules or customs pertaining in the Member States;

(Amendment 23)

Article 3(1)

>Original text>

1. All costs relating to the actions and measures referred to in points (a), (c) and (f) of Article 2 shall be borne by the Community.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

All costs relating to the actions and measures referred to in points (a), (c) and (f) of Article 2 shall be borne by the Community. Where a body other than the Commission proposes measures of the kind referred to in point (c), the Community's financial share shall not exceed 50% of the total cost of the measure, the balance being made up from either public or private sources or a combination of the two.

(Amendment 24)

Article 3(2)

>Original text>

2. The level of funding under this programme for the actions and measures referred to in points (b) and (d) of Article 2 may not exceed 50% of their total cost, the balance being made up from either public or private sources or a combination of the two.

>Text following EP vote>

2.

The level of funding under this programme for the actions and measures referred to in point (b) of Article 2 may not exceed 50% of their total cost, the balance being made up from either public or private sources or a combination of the two.

(Amendment 26)

Article 5, second and third paragraphs (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

That committee must ensure that priority is given throughout the framework programme to initiatives intended to increase the contribution made by sustainable energy technologies (particularly activities which promote efficient energy use based on renewable sources), on account of their environmental protection and job-creation potential.

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

To that end the committee must take into account the guidelines and recommendations of the working party made up of representatives of the Commission and the Member States which is provided for in the White Paper on renewable sources of energy and the similar (or combined) body which emerges from the development of the energy efficiency strategy proposed by the Commission.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community (1998-2002) - ALTENER II (COM(97)0550 - C4-0071/98 - 97/0370(SYN))(Cooperation procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(97)0550 - 97/0370(SYN),

- having being consulted by the Council pursuant to Articles 130s (1) and 189c of the EC Treaty (C4-0071/98),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (A4-0085/99),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189c(a) of the EC Treaty;

4. Should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament, calls on the Council to notify Parliament and for the conciliation procedure to be initiated;

5. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.