10 Amendments of Jean-Jacob BICEP related to 2012/2259(INI)
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that EU regional policy has a key role to play in promoting renewable energy production on a Europe-wide scale; welcomes the fact that the cohesion and regional policy input intended to encourage renewable energy use has continued to expand step by step; considers it particularly important for the direction of CommissioEuropean policy to be such as to enable the funding rate to be increased further in the coming period;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Takes note that renewable energies receive significant support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); maintains, however that the amount of ERDF funding in new energy capacities is rather low, especially in support of energy grid investments; highlights the potential of Structural Funds to modernise the current energy infrastructure and service a well- connected European infrastructure in order to integrate renewable energies in the European energy market;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Maintains that investment under Common Strategic Framework funds could be of great help in resolving the challenges for renewable energy; draws attention also to the importance of private – and first and foremost European – investment and of innovative financial instrumentsConsiders that it is the right time to make the case for and increase investment in regional strength of renewable energies rather than fossil fuels, despite the heftier start up costs; maintains that investment under Common Strategic Framework funds could be of great help in resolving the challenges for renewable energy by promoting integrated production of renewable energy through the creation of smart power grids adapted to renewable energies, energy storage facilities, smart energy infrastructure in households and enterprises and co-generation plants for heat and power; without overlooking research and development projects supported under the Structural Funds, especially those carried out at grass-root level, points to the role of Horizon 2020 in the development of the European renewable energy sector and in the responses to specific territorial challenges;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out the relevance of smart grids in the future - as envisioned by the European Commission energy policy blue print - to deal with the imbalance in renewable energies available throughout the EU and to create a pan-European energy market capable of delivering these energies to all regions;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Points out the necessity to create incentives, a simplification of the funding strategies and a reduction of transaction costs for the beneficiary of the funds; underlines that regional and national stakeholders should be encouraged to invest more for renewable energies and that market conditions and regulatory frameworks are to be less complex; encourages the European Commission, Member State and regulators to intensify their efforts to remove these obstacles;
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points to the importance of self- sufficiency in energy and to the major role of European renewable energy sources, including slowly renewable sources, for regional economies; points out that the efforts to replace fossil and imported energy with locally produced European renewable energy are important in the long term in order to meet the targets set in the Energy Roadmap 2050 and the Europe 2020 strategy; regrets that the EU's increasing dependency on imported fossil fuels and lack of energy storage facilities leaves European regions also vulnerable to crises and competitiveness;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that local sustainable energy strategies have an essential role in terms of regional and social development, as they enhance the participation of regional players in renewable energy projects; underlines that public acceptance and deployment of renewable energy sources can be done for example through renewable energy cooperatives; notes that the Member States and regions have their own strengths as far as renewable energy sources are concerned and that, because of geographical differences, renewable energy policy cannot be exactly the same in every region; points out that bioenergy can do much; thinks that the specific strengths of a region shall be detected and best utilised; points out that bioenergy used sustainably can contribute to foster energy management, economic growth, and vitality, especially in sparsely populated regions and rural areas;
Amendment 61 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that an integrated approach on the regional level will be necessary to boost the use of renewable energy; considers that various actors should be involved in setting up the infrastructure, without adding extra layers of bureaucracy;
Amendment 73 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that coherence and perseverance are key elements of EU climate and energy policy; notes that the tarencouragets set and the requirements imposed on production may not all be consistent in every respect; points out that legislation which limits the exploitation of ra multi-level governance approach aiming at a close and effective link between National Renewable eEnergy will at worst make the targets more difficult to reach, and that this could adversely affect regional economPlans and regional funding strategies.
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. highlights the valuable experience gained on local level to achieve energy independence by boosting renewable energy production; recommends to promote renewable energy village and energy cooperatives and facilitate exchange of good practice and networking in order to best capitalise on successful models;