Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the 'Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision amending European Parliament and Council Decision No 1254/96/EC laying down a series of guidelines on trans-European energy networks` (97/C 116/13)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision amending European Parliament and Council Decision No 1254/96/EC laying down a series of guidelines on trans-European energy networks ();

having regard to the decision taken by the Council on 25 September 1995, under the first paragraph of Article 129d of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to consult the Committee of the Regions on this matter;

having regard to its decision of 13 November 1996 to direct Commission 5 - Land-use Planning, Environment and Energy - to draw up the relevant opinion;

having regard to the draft opinion (CdR 367/96 rev.) unanimously adopted by Commission 5 on 20 November 1996 (rapporteur: Mr Penttilä),

unanimously adopted the following opinion at its 16th plenary session on 15 and 16 January 1997 (meeting of 16 January).

1. Introduction

1.1. The European Commission feels that it is necessary to update the indicative list of projects of common interest appended to European Parliament and Council Decision No 1254/96/EC laying down a series of guidelines on trans-European energy networks ().

1.2. The need to update the list is due to a number of reasons: the time that has elapsed since the European Commission's proposal was drawn up; commitments agreed during the discussion of the projects; the implications for energy networks of the accession of three new Member States; the increasingly rapid pace at which interconnected networks are being extended at European continent level; and the rapid developments in the energy market, particularly the natural gas market.

2. General

2.1. The Committee of the Regions considers the planning and implementation of trans-European energy networks to be important for the smooth operation of the internal energy market and also because such networks help to consolidate the cohesion of the EU's outlying and most remote regions. The Committee has already set out its views on trans-European energy networks in an earlier opinion (rapporteur: Mr Hertog) ().

2.2. It is extremely important from the point of view of the credibility of decisions taken on trans-European networks that they include a realistic investment plan. In particular, the Union should increase its share of the funding of energy networks serving the EU's outlying and most remote regions.

2.3. Local and regional authorities have not been consulted in the planning of trans-European energy networks. The lack of dialogue could significantly delay the construction of networks. Therefore the Committee of the Regions proposes that the European Commission look into ways of taking account of the viewpoints of local and regional authorities. This would help to ensure that there are realistic chances of trans-European energy networks being implemented.

2.4. A proper assessment of the environmental impact of trans-European energy networks and compliance with strict environmental standards would make networks more acceptable at local and regional level. Accordingly, the Committee of the Regions proposes that an environmental impact audit be carried out and that environmental standards based on the principle of best available technology be established for the planning and implementation of networks.

2.5. The Committee of the Regions has already requested the European Commission to ensure that local and regional energy producers have access to national and European electricity and gas grids. This requirement, which is important from the point of view of efficient energy use and the smooth functioning of the internal market, should be incorporated in all Union decisions on trans-European energy networks.

3. Conclusions

3.1. The Committee of the Regions endorses the European Commission's proposal to amend the decision laying down guidelines for trans-European energy networks so as to update the appended list of projects of common interest.

3.2. In the view of the Committee of the Regions it is particularly important to create effective arrangements for funding the connection of the EU's outlying regions to trans-European energy networks.

3.3. The Committee of the Regions is prepared to work together with the European Commission to secure greater involvement by local and regional authorities in the preparation of decisions on trans-European networks. The chances of networks being implemented can be improved by carrying out an environmental impact audit, adopting environmental standards based on best available technology and through more consultation with local and regional authorities.

3.4. Local and regional energy producers must also be afforded access to trans-European energy networks.

3.5. The Committee of the Regions recommends that the Proposal for a Council Directive to introduce rational planning techniques in the electricity and gas distribution sectors () be applied to projects that are part of trans-European energy networks.

Brussels, 16 January 1997.

The Chairman of the Committee of the Regions

Pasqual MARAGALL i MIRA

() OJ No C 298, 9. 10. 1996, p. 10.

() OJ No L 161, 29. 6. 1996, p. 147.

() OJ No C 217, 6. 8. 1994, p. 26.

() OJ No C 1, 4. 1. 1996, p. 6.