13. 12. 82 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 326/15 
interests of the Community seems possible only in the 
long term, temporary measures will have to be taken at 
national level with regard to rates, taxes and licensing 
procedures in order to balance out the differences. 
5.3.6. The same applies to the differences in 
rate-fixing procedures for long-distance and, in 
particular, cross-frontier transport, in so far as these 
differences are due to national measures. 
5.3.7. Financial equilibrium in the railways should be 
a priority goal, though we should not forget that this can 
only be achieved gradually, and in parallel with 
harmonization of the conditions of competition. 
5.3.8. All measures and developments designed to 
Done at Brussels, 28 October 1982. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 198 
thereof, ensure the rational use of energy in transport should be 
encouraged and supported. 
5.4. Commission proposals which have obtained the 
endorsement of advisory bodies and the two sides of 
industry, or which have been amended by the 
Commission (e.g. weights and dimensions), should 
finally be adopted so that Europe's citizens can actually 
see that progress has been made. 
5.5. Translating the aforementioned principles into 
practice in a blueprint with a timetable for the gradual 
harmonization of the terms of competition (which will 
dispense with the need for the national compensatory 
measures mentioned above) must form the kernel of (and 
first major step under) a common transport policy for the 
1980s. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francois CEYRAC 
opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the 
granting of financial support fo demonstration projects 
relating to the exploitation of alternative energy sources, 
energy-saving and the substitution of hydrocarbons (x), 
and on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the 
granting of financial support for pilot industrial projects Opinion on the 
— proposal for a Council Regulation on the granting of financial support for demonstration 
projects relating to the exploitation of alternative energy sources, energy-saving and the 
substitution of hydrocarbons 
— proposal for a Council Regulation on the granting of financial support for pilot industrial 
projects and demonstration projects relating to the liquefaction and gasification of solid 
fuels 
The texts referred to the Committee have been published in Official Journals of the European 
Communities No C 227 of 1 September 1982, page 2 and No C 261 of 6 October 1982, page 3, 
respectively. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 18 August 1982 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic and 
Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 201st 
plenary session held in Brussels on 27 and 28 October 1982. 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of the 
European Communities on 18 August 1982 for an (0 OJ No C 227, 1. 9. 1982, p. 2. 
No C 326/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 13. 12. 82 
and demonstration projects relating to the liquefaction 
and gasification of solid fuels (x), 
Having regard to its Rules of Procedure, and in particular 
Article 18 thereof, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 13 
October 1982 to appoint a rapporteur-general for the 
drafting of this opinion, 
Having regard to the opinions it has already delivered on 
energy matters, with particular reference to its opinions 
on the role for coal ins Community energy strategy (2), 
and on investment in the rational use of energy (3), 
Having regard to the draft opinion and oral report 
presented by Mr Mills, the rapporteur-general, 
Having regard to the discussions on 28 October 1982 
during the 201st plenary session held on 27 and 28 
October 1982, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously: 
The Economic and Social Committee endorses the 
Commission's proposals, subject to the following 
comments: 
1. The Committee agrees with the broad outlines of 
the measures proposed, whereby the Community is to 
assist in the funding of industrial projects relating to the 
exploitation of alternative energy sources, the rational 
use of energy and energy-saving measures and the 
practical application of these findings. 
2. In view of the Community's indigenous energy 
deficit, the Committee considers that measures are 
warranted to reduce the Member States' dependence and 
vulnerability to disruption to its sources of supply. 
3. Though it has been given so little time to compile 
this opinion, the Committee is happy to be consulted on 
proposals that are bound to affect investment, and 
consequently employment, in the Community both in the 
medium and longer term. 
4. The programme envisaged by the Commission in 
the proposals concerning the gasification and liquefaction 
of coal 0) is to be commended. At the present stage of 
(>) OJ No C 261, 6. 10. 1982, p.3. 
(2) OJ No C 205, 9. 8. 1982, p. 3. 
(3) OJ No C 252, 27. 9. 1982, p.6. research and development the potential short-term 
economic benefits of these processes - except in the case 
of aboveground gasification of coal - are not sufficient 
to justify an immediate start on demonstration projects. 
The progress to date on some projects already supported 
by the Commission justifies the extension of the 
programme. The Committee therefore supports the 
extension of the programme for the funding of 
gasification and liquefaction, and especially for projects 
designed to build up the technology which will be needed 
in the future. 
5. The development of the liquefaction and 
gasification of solid fuels in order to reduce the 
dependence on imported sources of hydrocarbons and to 
increase fuel diversity is worthwhile as it helps in the 
attainment of the Community's energy policy objectives 
and fits in with its energy strategy. 
The Committee further notes that new gasification 
processes of solid fuels should enable reductions in the 
environmental pollution presently associated with the 
burning of raw coal. 
6. The Committee is pleased to note that a number of 
projects are to be eligible for Community aid under the 
proposal relating to the exploitation of alternative energy 
sources, energy-saving, and the substitution of 
hydrocarbons (4). The Committee supports this 
approach all the more so because technological 
innovation may well take place in all fields where energy 
is used. 
7. The Committee welcomes the provisions 
permitting cooperation with third countries and in 
particular developing countries. 
8. It hopes that cooperation with developing countries 
will meet their requirements in view of: 
— their need to reduce their energy deficits, which are a 
heavy burden on their balance of payments, 
— the necessity of developing and disseminating 
technology which will permit a considerable 
reduction in the use of wood for domestic heating and 
cooking, which has led to progressive 
desertification. 
9. The Committee welcomes the fact that the 
Commission emphasizes in the proposals that the 
demonstration projects must 'display prospects of 
commercial viability'. It considers that it is important in 
this connection for a natural person or a private legal 
person to take part in such projects. The Community 
should only lend its support to projects to which a 
substantial amount of risk capital has been committed. 
10. The Committee trusts that the time between the 
issuing of invitation to tender and the authorization of 
financial aid will be minimized, and thereby secure better 
synchronization of Community firms in ventures and 
Community support actions. 
(4) OJ No C 227, 1. 9. 1982, p. 2. 
13. 12. 82 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 326/17 
11. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the 
draft Regulations do not lay down financial ceilings for 
the duration of the proposed measures. The recent 
difficulties caused by overshoots of such ceilings by the 
budgets adopted by Community budget authorities show 
how important it is to give these authorities full responsibility for Community financial decisions. 
12. The Committeed notes a periodic progress report 
is to be drawn up by the Commission and asks that this is 
circulated to the Economic and Social Committee for 
comment. 
Done at Brussels, 28 October 1982. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francois CEYRAC