A4-0288/97

Proposal for a Council Decision concerning a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community - Altener II - (COM(97)0087 - C4-0308/97 - 97/0106(SYN))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 4a (new)

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(4a) Having regard to the 'Book of Proceedings' of the Conference on the Altener programme held in Sitges (Spain) from 25 to 27 November 1996,

(Amendment 2)

Recital 10

>Original text>

(10) Whereas in its resolution of 14 November 1996 on the White Paper of the Commission 'An Energy Policy for the European Union' the European Parliament calls on the Commission to establish a financial programme aimed at promoting sustainable energy;

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(10) Whereas in its resolution of 14 November 1996 on the White Paper of the Commission 'An Energy Policy for the European Union' the European Parliament calls on the Commission to establish a financial programme aimed at promoting sustainable energy; whereas, in its resolution of 15 May 1997(1) on the communication from the Commission on Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy - Green Paper for a Community Strategy, the European Parliament considers that it is essential to adopt as soon as possible a strengthened Altener II programme;

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

(Amendment 3)

Recital 10a (new)

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(10a) Whereas the various European Conferences, such as those held in Madrid in March 1994, Athens in November 1995, Milan in June 1996 and Vouliagmeni in May 1997, have shown that there is broad social support for renewable energies, as can be seen from the respective 'Books of Proceedings',

(Amendment 4)

Recital 10b (new)

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(10b) Whereas, in order to stabilize total CO2 emissions, it would be better, rather than introducing a new tax, to devise a method of calculation that would make it possible to evaluate and include in the tariffs the various indirect costs not previously taken into account in the calculation (impact on health, environment, etc.), so as to make renewable energies more competitive;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 14a (new)

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(14a) Whereas, furthermore, the Fifth Framework Programme of Research, Technological Development and Demonstration should devote special attention to energy and whereas Altener II should again be an important additional instrument in this programme;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 14b (new)

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(14b) Whereas renewable energy sources are an important energy source for the Union with considerable commercial potential and whereas their development should therefore be supported through a specific strategy and targeted actions to make them both viable and competitive and thus create a favourable environment for investment;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 15a (new)

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(15a) Whereas only the free and large-scale development of renewable energy sources will make it possible fully to exploit their potential and allow investors and states to reap genuine economic benefits while creating quality employment on a large scale;

(Amendment 8)

Recital 16a (new)

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(16a) Whereas the development of renewable energy sources can help create a competitive energy system for the whole of Europe and develop a European renewable energy sources industry, with vast opportunities for the export of know-how and for investment in third countries involving Community participation;

(Amendment 9)

Recital 16b (new)

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(16b) Whereas renewable energy sources should account for a reasonable percentage of the European internal energy market;

(Amendment 12)

Article 1(1), third subparagraph

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The 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.

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The objectives contribute to achieving the overall Community objectives and concerns of limiting CO2 emissions, improving the energy balance with a view to achieving the objective of replacing at least the equivalent of 15% of primary energy demand by the year 2010 in the European Union, reducing energy import dependence, ensuring the security of energy supply, fostering economic development, economic and social cohesion and regional and local development, combating the rapid depletion of energy raw materials, creating new jobs, promoting European industry and technology and preserving energy resources in general.

(Amendment 13)

Article 1(1), third subparagraph a (new)

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With a view to achieving Community objectives, the measures are not confined to increasing the t.o.e. of renewable energies in absolute terms but are also aimed at using renewables actually to replace conventional energy sources.

(Amendment 14)

Article 1(3)

>Original text>

3. The annual appropriations for the implementation of the programme shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspectives.

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3. The annual appropriations for the implementation of the programme shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspectives. The level of funding should be based on the objective of reducing CO2 emissions by 15% by the year 2010, compared with 1990.

(Amendment 15)

Article 2(1)(a)

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(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, socio-economic and administrative conditions which are more favourable to the market penetration of renewable energies and the preparation of appropriate legislation;

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(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 innovation- friendly norms and standards taking account of the interests of small and medium-sized undertakings, grouped procurement, project- based comparative studies of the environmental impact and long-term cost of using conventional as opposed to 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 that will promote a favourable climate for investment;

(Amendment 17)

Article 2(1)(c)

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(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 centralized system for collecting, prioritizing and circulating information and know-how on renewable energy sources;

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(c) measures to encourage the exchange of experience and know-how aimed at improving coordination between international, Community, national, regional and local activities, including the provision of precise and extensive information for those responsible for taking legislative and executive decisions at these levels; establishment of a centralized system for collecting, prioritizing and circulating information and know-how on renewable energy sources;

(Amendment 18)

Article 2(1)(d)

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

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Deleted

(Amendment 19)

Article 2(1)(e)

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

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(e) targeted actions facilitating the market penetration of renewable energy sources and related know-how, in particular measures to support the transitional phase between demonstration and marketing, and encouraging investment, by assisting the preparation and presentation of implementation projects;

(Amendment 20)

Article 2(1)(f)

>Original text>

(f) actions intended to:

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

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(f) actions intended to:

- 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,

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- 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 and those financed by other funding bodies such as the European Investment Bank,

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

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- monitor the progress achieved by the Community and its Member States with regard to the development of renewable energy sources, particularly as regards taxation, tariffs, facilitating the sale of these energy sources and access to distribution networks, streamlining of administrative procedures, and other incentives or obstacles to their development deriving from the rules or practices in force in the Member States,

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- establish close links between aid for biomass (as described in paragraph 2, third subparagraph, first indent) and plans for reform of the CAP, as well as non-food use of agricultural production,

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- consider the possible energy uses of agricultural and forestry waste,

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- provide firm support for the export of technology for renewable energy sources by giving it a greater role in external policy on energy matters and cooperation to strengthen the European Council for the Export of Renewable Energy Sources (EREEC),

>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.

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- 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 job creation.

(Amendment 22)

Article 2(2), second subparagraph

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This action shall promote, inter alia : access to specialized advice, analysis of market prospects, choice of location of projects, application for construction and operation permits, establishment of financing plan, preparation of calls for tenders, training of operators, and plant commissioning.

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This action shall promote, inter alia : access to specialized advice, analysis of market prospects, choice of location of projects, application for construction and operation permits, actions by SMUs involving investment in renewable energy sources, establishment of financing plans, preparation of calls for tenders, training of operators, and plant commissioning.

(Amendment 21)

Article 2(2), third subparagraph, first indent

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- biomass, including energy crops, fire wood, residues from forestry and agriculture, municipal waste, liquid biofuels and biogas;

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- biomass, including energy crops, fire wood, residues from forestry and agriculture, non-recyclable municipal waste, liquid biofuels and biogas;

(Amendment 23)

Article 3(2)

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2. The level of funding under this programme for the actions and measures referred to in points (b) and (d) of Article 2(1) 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.

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2. The level of funding under this programme for the actions and measures referred to in point (b) of Article 2(1) 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 24)

Article 4(1)

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1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme.

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1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme at Community level. In doing so, it shall work closely with the European Parliament, by presenting regularly to it on-going factual assessments of the programme's progress.

(Amendment 25)

Article 4(2)(c)

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(c) for the actions referred to in point (e) of Article 2(1), the relative cost of the assistance, the new production capacity expected to arise and the extent of transregional and/or transnational benefits;

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(c) for the actions referred to in point (e) of Article 2(1), the relative cost of the assistance, the long-term commercial viability and the new production capacity expected to arise and the extent of transregional and/or transnational benefits;

(Amendment 26)

Article 5, second paragraph

>Original text>

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time-limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

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The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within an appropriate consultation period which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

(Amendment 27)

Article 5, fourth paragraph

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The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

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The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which it intends to take its opinion into account. Before the measures are taken, the committee shall be consulted again on any points not taken into account.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concerning a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community - Alterner II - (COM(97)0087 - C4- 0308/97 - 97/0106(SYN))

(Cooperation procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(97)0087 - 97/0106(SYN) ((OJ C 192, 24.6.1997, p. 16.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Articles 189c and 130s (1) of the EC Treaty (C4-0308/97),

- 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 Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (A4-0288/97),

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. Calls for the conciliation procedure to be opened should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

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