Parliament reports on energy policy
The European Parliament adopted a number of reports on aspects of European energy policy during its meeting in Strasbourg in November 1996. Parliament adopted at second reading the proposal for a Community programme for the promotion of energy efficiency (SAVE II). This programme would run for five years, and is a major part of the Commission's strategy to stabilize CO2 emissions. The Parliament voted to restore the programme's budget to ECU 150 million for the five years, as originally proposed by the Commission, reversing the Council's cut to ECU 45 million. Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, speaking on behalf of the Commission, agreed that the budget of ECU 45 million was too small, and accepted that CO2 stabilization targets might not be met on that basis. The Commission's proposal for a Directive on rational planning in the electricity and gas distribution sectors was adopted by Parliament at first reading, including amendments calling for such techniques to be made compulsory. It is unlikely, however, that this will be accepted by the Council. According to a report on the Commission's communication on Euro-Mediterranean partnership in the energy sector adopted by the Parliament, Euro-Mediterranean relations in the energy sector should be strengthened. In particular, gas and electricity connectors between Europe and North African countries should be completed and a Euro-Mediterranean energy agency should be established to improve cooperation, training and facilitate technology transfer. MEPs adopted a resolution on the Commission's White Paper on energy policy, calling for greater use of renewable energy, and a more balanced energy supply in the future. Energy policy should also contribute to social and economic cohesion, and assist in finding alternative energy sources to replace nuclear power stations in the former Soviet Union. Although the EU produces 60% of the gas used in its boundaries, the Parliament's report on the Commission's communication on gas supply and prospects suggests that the Community should limit gas to 25% of total energy supplies, and increase research into alternatives. Finally, a resolution called on the Commission to devote more attention to biomass and biological fuels as alternatives to fossil fuels.