The European Commission yesterday unveiled its plans for an Energy Union to better connect Europe's energy production, transport and consumption based on solidarity and trust, which were broadly welcomed by the President of the European People's Party Group in the European Committee of the Regions, Michael Schneider:
"Putting the EU back on the path to growth requires competitive energy prices and a sustainable and secure energy supply. Today's proposals for an Energy Union are a major step in that direction. We note with satisfaction that the Commission has taken our repeated calls for more synergies and coherence between the different financial instruments on board.
As Commissioner Arias Cañete said, any legislation is only as good as its implementation. Let us not forget that local and regional authorities are crucial partners in better implementation of energy production, transformation, distribution and consumption. We therefore look forward to providing input to the Energy Infrastructure Forum, which will meet for the first time later this year."
The EPP Group in the CoR also highlights the specific target of 10% electricity interconnectivity in EU internal energy supply and welcomes the specific focus on the implementation of the regional action plans.
Regions and cities will be keeping an eye on how the European Structural and Investment Funds as well as the European Fund for Strategic Investments will be used to support regional and local authorities in delivering the proposed consumer oriented incentives for saving energy.
Sirpa Hertell, Vice-President of the CoR's commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) and CoR rapporteur on Framing 2030 Climate and Energy Policy, highlighted the ambitious approach of the Energy Union communication:
"70% of climate mitigation measures and up to 90% of adaptation measures are being undertaken by local authorities. We therefore endorse calls for increased political ownership of the Energy Union at the local and regional level and their specific reference in the chapter on governance and monitoring."
The EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions fueled debates on an Energy Union in Kaunas when it adopted a declaration entitled "Towards the future with safe and affordable energy for all" in October 2013.
Looking to the immediate future, the CoR Group rapporteur, Csaba Borboly (EPP/RO), will present an opinion on "Resource efficiency opportunities in the building sector" at the Committee of the Regions Plenary Session in April 2015. This is an area of key importance given the vast potential for local public authorities to improve the efficiency of buildings and one which is highlighted in the Energy Union communication.
