18 Amendments of Klaus BUCHNER related to 2014/2153(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that a coherent energy policy must be an integral part of the EU’'s overall external policy, and that further efforts are needed to ensure better synergies between energy objectives andnd better synergies are needed to bring energy objectives in line with a credible foreign policy; calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) and the European External Action Service to coordinate closely the relevant foreign policy tools and instruments of the Member States and the EU institutions;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Points out that nuclear power plants, situated in the vicinity of conflict zones, such as the case of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Eastern Ukraine, pose a potential security risk of incalculable damage and affect bilateral relations,
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reminds that a phase out of subsidies for carbohydrate energy sources as referred to in article 2.1 of the Kyoto Protocol would be a welcomed step towards the inclusion of energy chapters into future trade agreements and as such promote the European Union's ability to diversify its international supply base;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Strongly believes that a long term European energy strategy should be based on efficacy, interconnection and renewable energy sources;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that, in view of the EU’'s high dependence on energy imports and the current dominance of a single gas supplier, it is urgeimportant to diversify energyhydrocarbons supply sources and the relevant energy routes;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses, nevertheless, that in order for the EU to increase its security of supply this import dependence must be drastically reduced by means of a radical fuel switch to renewable energy sources and through a reduction of domestic energy consumption through ambitious energy efficiency measures;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Underlines, furthermore, that energy imports must remain consistent with the EU internal and external policies;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Points out, that energy storage and distribution form some of the main challenges in the further development of the European market for renewable energy sources; stresses, in this regard, that the existing technologies, converting solar and wind generated power into gas can alleviate the problem, in light of the already exciting vast storage facilities, gas transport networks and modern gas power plants; calls for increased financial support for the implementation of such technologies in the external policies of the EU ;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that the reduction of domestic energy consumption and an increase in energy efficiency is not only generally substantive for addressing a sustainable contribution to meet international obligations of the EU’s in particular the post MDG 15 process by introducing respective aspects into international trade agenda of the EU but is also a key in reducing the dependency on energy imports. Further notes that trade agreements should not intend to increase dependencies on foreign Energy producers, but to diversify the European energy mix;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Reminds that the conclusion of trade agreements with third countries must remain consistent with internal EU policy and stance towards certain extraction methods of various energy sources such as tar sands and shale gas
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Emphasises, that the currently negotiated Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership may seriously endanger European energy security by potentially introducing a chilling effect on energy policy through international arbitration courts and regulatory cooperation provisions at Member States level; regards the potential decrease in the European Union’s ability to conclude an independent energy policy as a threat to energy security;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates that energy cooperation must take into accountbe based on the EU’'s core values, such as the respect for human rights and democracy and the environment; calls on all actors of EU external policy to advocate the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in all contacts with third countries; calls on the VP/HR and the Commission to address the control of nuclear infrastructure within the EU by non-EU entities, and to closely monitor nuclear safety standards in the EU’'s neighbourhood, as well as the management of European nuclear waste.
Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses, in this respect, that EU energy dependence deeply undermines the effectiveness and the consistency of its foreign policy with regard, in particular, to its addiction on fossil fuels; takes the view, in this regard, that the development of renewables and of energy efficiency will strongly benefit the credibility of the EU external action freeing it from the current dependence on authoritarian regimes that act in blatant contradiction to the EU founding values;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Reminds that, nuclear energy conversion is not carbon-neutral and that the associated output of CO2 emissions varies between 32 and 60g/kWh, when the overall emissions in construction, de- commissioning, uranium mining, enrichment, waste storage, transport and maintenance are taken into account over the lifespan of a nuclear power plant; takes the view, in this regard, that the sale of nuclear technology by some Member States to third countries deeply undermines the security and the credibility of the European Energy Security Strategy;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls, that uranium mining carries serious and potentially long-lasting risks to the environment, human health and wildlife arising from exposure to ionising radiation and thus affect EU trade relations;
Amendment 66 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Underlines that domestic and regional renewable energy sources and supply chains may provide independence from certain volatile international energy markets, increasing energy security; stresses that energy storage and distribution forms one of the main challenges in the further development of renewable energy sources. Is convinced that existing technologies of converting solar and wind power into gas can contribute to alleviate the problem, in light of the already existing vast storage facilities, transport networks and modern power plants for natural gas; calls for more financial support for the implementation of such technologies;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Points out that nuclear energy conversion is not carbon-neutral and that the associated output of CO2 emissions varies between 32 and 60g/kWh, when the overall emissions in construction, de- commissioning, uranium mining, enrichment, waste storage, transport and maintenance are taken into account over the lifespan of a nuclear power plant
Amendment 76 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Considers that nuclear energy, is one of many sources of electricity production and that it must be considered at its real overall economic and financial costs in the European energy mix;