Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the 'Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector (1998-2002) and connected measures [Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector (1998-2002), Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual framework programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community (1998-2002), Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion of energy efficiency (1998-2002), Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual programme of technological actions promoting the clean and efficient use of solid fuels (1998-2002)]'
Date: 1998-07-16
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: EU programme, clean technology, energy policy, fuel, renewable energy

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II

(Preparatory Acts)

COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the ‘Proposal for a Council decision adopting a
multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector (1998-2002) and connected
measures [Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual framework programme for
actions in the energy sector (1998-2002), Proposal for a Council decision adopting a
multiannual framework programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the
Community (1998-2002), Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual programme
for the promotion of energy efficiency (1998-2002), Proposal for a Council decision adopting
a multiannual programme of technological actions promoting the clean and efficient use of
solid fuels (1998-2002)]’

(98/C 315/01)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the proposal for Council decision adopting a multiannual framework
programme for actions in the energy sector (1998-2002) and connected measures (1);

having regard to the decision taken by the Council on 4 February 1998 to consult the
Committee of the Regions voluntarily on this matter, under the first paragraph of Article 198 C
of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

having regard to the decision on 12 March 1998 by its Bureau to direct Commission 4 for
spatial planning, urban issues, energy, the environment to prepare an opinion;

having regard to the draft opinion (CdR 56/98 rev.) adopted unanimously under the urgency
procedure by Commission 4 on 22 April 1998 (rapporteur: Mr Loke Mernizka),

adopted by a majority the following Opinion at its 24th plenary session on 15 and 16 July
1998 (meeting of 16 July).

(1) COM(97) 550 final.

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1.

Introduction

1.1.
The Council has asked the European Com-
mission (1) to assess the coordination of all relevant
programmes in the energy sector before the end of 1997
and by the end of 1997 to present a communication on
all Community programmes with implications for energy
policy.

— Energy markets: analyses and monitoring

— International cooperation in the energy sector

(Synergy)

— Promotion of renewable energy sources (Altern-

er II)

ECU
million

7,8

36,4

81,1

1.2.
The Council has also asked the Commission
to present proposals for improving transparency and
coordination, as well as a framework programme for
energy policy.

— Encouragement of energy efficiency (SAVE II)

68,4

— Market penetration of clean technologies for

solid fuels (Carnot)

— Nuclear safety

4,1

2,6

Total

200,4

1.3.
The Commission communication ‘An overall
view of energy policy and actions’ (2) is a first step in
the requested comprehensive review of energy-related
programmes.

The above are intended to be maximum allocations for
the duration of the framework programme; they are to
cover the cost of the actual measures, as well as staff
and administrative costs.

The Commission adopted the present multiyear
1.4.
framework programme in November 1997 and presented
it to the Energy Council on 8 December 1997. The
Energy Ministers took note of the programme and
referred it to the Council bodies for further examination.

2. Content of the multiyear framework programme

2.1.
The Commission proposes that the framework
programme should run from 1998-2002. This pro-
gramme has three priority objectives:

— security of energy supplies;

— competitiveness;

— compatibility between trends on the energy market

and environmental objectives.

2.2.
The framework programme is to comprise six
specific horizontal actions or thematic programmes,
funded as follows.

2.3.
The programme is to facilitate management
and promote a transparent and cost-effective use of
resources, thus permitting more effective use of the
available budget.

The Commission is to be helped manage the
2.4.
framework programme by a single consultative com-
mittee comprising representatives of the Member States
and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The
Commission will take this committee’s opinions into
account as far as possible.

2.5.
Every year the Commission is to assess the
progress of the framework programme and related
specific programmes, as well as its management, gener-
ally efficacy and contribution to the objectives of
Community policy, priorities and adequacy of budget
resources. The Commission is to propose any changes
which may be necessary.

2.6.
During the third year of the programme, the
Commission is to ask independent external experts to
carry out a full evaluation of the Community actions
carried out under the framework programme. The
Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions will be informed of these
experts’ findings.

3. General assessment of the multiyear framework

programme

(1) Council Resolution of 8 July 1996 on the White Paper ‘An
Energy Policy for the European Union’
(OJ C 224,
1.8.1996) and Council Regulation (EC) 701/97 amending
a programme to promote international cooperation in the
energy sector — Synergy programme (OJ L 104, 22.4.1997).

(2) COM(97) 167 final of 23 April 1997.

3.1.
The COR welcomes the introduction of a frame-
work programme for energy measures. It expects a
better integrated, more transparent and more efficient
system to allow an appreciable rationalization of all
activities and programmes, simplification of procedures
and harnessing of synergistic effects.

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3.2.
The COR shares the view that an efficient energy
policy requires integration of measures and a focus
on secure supply, competitiveness and environmental
protection. However, it is concerned to point out that
the Commission does not have responsibility for energy
policy under the European treaties, which means that
all measures must be consistent with the principle of
subsidiarity.

3.3.
The COR endorses the objective of maximizing
coherence, which requires that decision-making proc-
esses be very efficient. It therefore welcomes the plan to
set up a single committee to support the implementation
of the programme. However, it feels that this committee
should also be given decision-taking powers and be
assisted by technical committees (panels of experts)
for the specific programmes, with clear division of
responsibilities. The COR advocates involvement of
regional and local authorities in these decision-making
processes.

3.4.
The COR fundamentally supports a higher level
of funding for energy priorities. It sees renewables
(Altener programme) and energy efficiency (SAVE pro-
gramme) as priorities, since these provide the greatest
potential for creating jobs and protecting the environ-
ment.

3.5.
The COR also supports a regular (annual)
evaluation of activities and comprehensive review by
independent experts of the implementation of Com-
munity actions under the framework programme. This
will permit prompt adjustment to new developments.

However, it points in particular to the need to work
closely with the Member States and use the abundant
available data in order to maximize efficiency and avoid
duplication of effort.

4.2. Multiyear programme to promote international
cooperation in the energy sector — Synergy

4.2.1.
This programme is to help define, formulate
and implement the energy policy of third countries, to
promote industrial cooperation between the Community
and third countries and to improve coordination of the
Community’s external activities in the energy field.

This is an existing programme that the Com-
4.2.2.
mission has asked to be extended as part of the present
framework programme, initially until 31 December 1998.
The Energy Ministers have accepted the Commission’s
proposal and agreed to earmark ECU 5 million for 1998.
ECU 7 million have been earmarked for the 1998
multiyear framework programme, increasing to ECU
7,57 million in 2002.

4.2.3.
The COR welcomes the objectives of the
Synergy programme and the extension of the programme
to 31 December 2002. It considers an appropriation of
ECU 5 million for 1998 and small increments for the
years 1999 to 2002 to be adequate.

4.3. Multiyear programme for

the promotion of
renewable energy sources in the Community
— Altener II

3.6.
The COR welcomes the setting up of a network
of the directors-general concerned. This will establish a
link with programmes of other directorates-general that
are also receiving funding for activities in the energy
sector, thus further improving consistency and trans-
parency (cf. 4.4.4).

4.3.1.
The Altener programme is designed to promote
the use of environment-friendly energy sources. Altener II
extends Altener I measures, and provides for new
measures to facilitate the market penetration of renew-
ables and the implementation, monitoring and super-
vision of these sources.

4. Content and assessment of the different parts of the

multiyear framework programme

4.1. Multiyear programme of studies, analyses, fore-

casts and other related work in the energy sector

4.1.1.
A programme of regular monitoring of market
and energy trends is to be developed in liaison with the
Member States, so that energy policy decisions can be
taken on the basis of a shared analysis.

4.3.2.
The COR sees this programme as a particularly
important part of the multiyear framework programme
for the future.

4.3.3.
1997 (1) as regards the details of the programme.

The COR refers to its opinion of 18 September

4.4. Multiyear programme for the promotion of energy

efficiency — SAVE II

4.4.1.
The SAVE II programme was adopted by the
European Council of December 1996 as one of the three

4.1.2.
The COR recognizes the importance of sound
data for decisions about energy policy, and it therefore
supports these initiatives as a matter of principle.

(1) OJ C 379, 15.12.1997, p. 63.

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most important Union-wide programmes for promoting
energy efficiency. It is the only Community programme
is exclusively devoted to improving energy
that
efficiency.

As well as studies, measures to encourage exchanges of
experience and specific measures to improve energy
management, the programme supports sector-specific
pilot projects to speed up investment in energy efficiency.

4.4.2.
The COR welcomes the proposed extension of
the SAVE II programme until the year 2002, since this
programme is one of the most important Community
instruments and can make a noticeable contribution to
reducing CO2 emissions.

4.4.3.
The COR thinks it appropriate that the SAVE II
programme — together with Altener II — should be a
key part of the energy framework programme. In its
view, this also justifies the substantial
increase in
funding.

4.4.4.
The COR considers there to be a pressing need
for close links with other Community programmes that
directly promote improvements in energy efficiency
(especially Joule and Thermie), in order to avoid overlaps
and take advantage of synergistic effects (cf. 3.6).

4.5. Multiyear programme of technological actions
promoting the clean and efficient use of solid fuels
— Carnot

4.5.1.
This programme provides for measures to
promote the creation of an information network and
foster strategic industrial cooperation.
It does not
provide for any specific RTD measures.

Brussels, 16 July 1998.

4.5.2. Owing to their long-term availability, solid
fuels will continue to make an important contribution
to covering future energy needs within and outside the
Community. Worldwide efforts to reduce associated
emissions of harmful substances hinge on the efficiency
of the energy conversion techniques used.

The COR considers the promotion of clean
4.5.3.
and efficient technologies to be particularly important.
It sees an urgent need for additional efforts to improve
techniques, to step up cooperation and to obtain more
information on markets and technologies. It therefore
welcomes the multiyear programme and its incorpor-
ation into the energy framework programme.

4.6. Multiyear actions concerning nuclear safeguards

and transport of radioactive materials

4.6.1.
The purpose of this programme is to support
industrial cooperation on the transport of radioactive
materials and on training of safeguards experts in
the central and eastern European countries and new
independent states.

Different parts of

the EU have diverging
4.6.2.
— and sometimes opposing — views on the use of
nuclear energy. However, they agree on the need for
very high safety standards worldwide in this sensitive
area, in view of its global dimension. The COR therefore
welcomes the incorporation of existing activities into a
multiyear programme which will form part of the energy
framework programme.

The Chairman

of the Committee of the Regions

Manfred DAMMEYER