European Community funds the creation of 28 regional and urban energy agencies
As part of a pilot project for the management of energy at regional and urban level, the Community is providing funding of ECU 4,005,193, to be allocated over a period of three years, for the creation of 28 new regional, provincial, urban or island energy agencies. The Commission has been running this energy sector pilot project for regions, islands and towns since 1989. On the basis of experience gained, emphasis is now being placed on support for the creation of regional and urban energy agencies. The objectives of the pilot project are to: - Contribute to better Community integration in energy matters by adopting a new bottom-up approach to energy problems and encouraging local levels to cooperate at European level; - Foster economic and social cohesion by reducing the differences between regions (the proximity of consumers to local energy agencies can make an invaluable contribution to this objective and have an impact on local job creation); - Improve environmental protection and the quality of life by helping to contain increases in energy demand and, as a result, in CO2 emissions. This measure will be incorporated within the Community's SAVE II programme for the promotion of energy efficiency in the Community. The publication of a further call for proposals for the creation of additional regional and urban energy agencies under the 1996 budget is also foreseen.