63 Amendments of Theresa GRIFFIN related to 2014/2153(INI)
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the challenges posed by climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy targets, a sustainable energy mix, energy security and the development of innovative energy technologies can only be met with a unified strategy on energy security issues; calls on the Commission and Member States to recognise the importance of energy efficiency and its role in both lowering costs to consumers and maintaining security supply and emphasises the importance of including in investing in energy efficiency across the European Union in any energy Security plans.
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
Citation 20 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication on "Energy Roadmap 2050" (Com 2011/0885) and the initiative report of the European Parliament "Energy Roadmap 2050, a future with energy" (2012/2103 INI)
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 a (new)
Citation 21 a (new)
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that increased energy security is inseparable from the need to move to a low-carbon economy and to promote investments in renewable energy sources; strongly calls, therefore, for a comprehensive strategy that builds on existing policy instruments, with the long- term objective of decarbonising the EU economy by 2050 and the elimination of the ‘EU’s energy islands’ which was initially forecast for completion in 2015.;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas 61 % of gas consumedall imported gas in the European Union is used infor the heating of buildings and 75% of these are residential buildings; whereas any interruptions in gas supply leading to inadequate heating puts at risk the health and wellbeing of a large proportion of EU citizens;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas 61 % of gas consumedall imported gas in the European Union is used infor the heating of buildings and 75% of these are residential buildings; whereas any interruptions in gas supply leading to inadequate heating puts at risk the health and wellbeing of a large proportion of EU citizens;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU’s external energy bill represents more than EUR 1 billion per day – EUR 400 billion in 2013 – and more than one fifth of total EU imports; whereas money spent on importing fossil fuels contributes little to investment, jobs or growth in the Union, and therefore redirecting this money towards domestic investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart infrastructure would stimulate the construction, automotive and high-tech industries and their downstream suppliers, creating high-quality, high- skilled jobs which cannot be exported or delocalised;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. Whereas the global price for oil has dropped significantly taking the stress off economies all across the EU, thus providing an opportunity to take major steps in transforming our energy landscape into a sustainable one, by investing highly in renewable energy production and by grasping the energy efficiency potential tied up in several sectors including existing buildings;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas in the context of the crisis in Ukraine the issue of ensuring a reliable natural gasenergy supply is more important than ever, as is the issue of diversification of energy supplies and the over-reliance on energy imports;
Amendment 67 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Maintains that energy saving and energy efficiency are the fast and cost-effective routes to addressing issues such as energy security, external dependence, high prices and environmental concerns; underlines the potential for both in specific sectors such as buildings and transport, and calls upon the commission to set clear targets for the renovation of building stock across the EU which will lead to thousands of new jobs across Europe and rejuvenate Europe's economy;
Amendment 81 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to adopt measures to increase energy efficiency as a priority, thus also tackling the problem of low competitiveness resulting from high energy prices; underlines the importance of fully implementing the measures provided for in existing legislation, namely the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive;, recognises that decreased emissions governed by an Emissions Performance Standard correlate directly with energy efficiency and long term savings in the energy sector
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 energy efficiency target of 40 % implemented by means of individual national targets;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 target of producing at least 30 % of total final energy consumption from renewable energy sources, implemented by means of individual national targets;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L c (new)
Recital L c (new)
Lc. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 target of reducing domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 % compared with 1990 levels;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L d (new)
Recital L d (new)
Ld. whereas the European Parliament has asked for binding targets for minimum cross-border transmission capacity
Amendment 98 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to step up the development and deployment of low- carbon technologies and to strengthen the role of renewable energy sourcrecognise the value of Carbon capture and storage technologies, which can play an important role as part of the suite of solutions to reduce carbon emissions in Europe and to strengthen the role of renewable energy sources and further ensure the diversification of energy supplies in order to save on fuel imports; welcomes the Commission’'s view of renewable energy as a no-regrets option and stresses the importance of developing smarter energy grids and new energy storage solutions;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas better interconnection levels for electricity and gas will increase energy security, contribute to a higher integration of renewable energies, foster price convergence and increase benefits for consumers, while balancing supply and demand between the Member States;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Recital O a (new)
Oa. whereas an energy security strategy must prioritise low carbon technology and resources;
Amendment 129 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to abolish all indirect subsidies for fossil fuels and to make full use of funds for financing renewables, based on binding renewable targets;. Further calls on the Commission to incentivise and finance the switch to renewable technologies and maintain the financing of CCS technologies through innovation funds such as the NER300 and NER400.
Amendment 137 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates the need to take immediate action in transport in terms of both efficiency improvements and, alternative fuels and electrification; considers that in the area of housing, deep renovation for energy efficiency should be a priority.
Amendment 141 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 9 – point 1 (new)
(1) Calls on Member States to be prepared with national and regional measures for sharply reducing energy demand, both before and in response to supply shocks. Asks the Commission to examine the feasibility of an EU-wide monitoring system to address such shocks. Notes however that any short-term measures to sharply reduce energy demands are not an effective way of dealing with the issue - Europe needs a wider plan to ensure continuity of supply;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the importance for strengthening energy independence of short-term measures such as storage of gas, development of reverse gas flow infrastructure, preparation of regional security of supply plans, and more effective use of the opportunities to import liquefied natural gas especially in those Member States which are exclusively dependent on one single supplier of natural gas; points out that there is a vital need for cooperation between the Commission, Member States, neighbouring countries, regulatory bodies, ACER, transmission system operators and gas suppliers;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for further investment in real low carbon energy sources;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that the Energy Union, in addition to ensuring security of supply, should adopt a comprehensive approach focusing on key pillars such as achievement of a fully integrated internal energy market, moderation of energy demand, through energy efficiency, decarbonisation of the energy mix, and research and innovation;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Emphasizes that the only way to reach energy security while at the same time keeping the energy prices affordable and reaching our climate goals; is to create a sustainable energy landscape, based on a high degree of energy efficiency, renewable energy and a smart infrastructure; moreover stresses that the right actions need to be taken today in order to create this transition for the future generations;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the moderareduction of energy demand through energy efficiency is triply crucial on many grounds, impacting positively on the EU’s energy security, competitiveness and sustainability; underlines that the European Union should promote a long-term strategy of energy reduction
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the EU is not yet on track to meet its commitment of saving 20 % of energy (371 Mtoe) by 2020, and that over one third of reduced energy consumption is actually attributable to lower levels of economic activity; therefore emphasizes that stronger measures need to be put in place to speed up energy efficiency actions and asks the Commission to propose new and strengthened measures to ensure that the 2017 National Energy Efficiency Action Plans deliver and to urgently come forward with a clear ambitious and binding policy framework for 2030;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that energy demand in the building sector is responsible for about 40 % of energy consumption in the EU and a third of natural gas use, and that it is therefore necessary to speed up and expand the renovation of buildings in order to reduce energy demand while encouraging greater involvement of the European Investment Bank and promoting energy services for which EU funds can complement national financing schemes. This will also create benefits for citizens including a reduction in energy bills and an improvement in standards of living;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Renovating buildings will also create thousands of new jobs across Europe and will rejuvenate Europe's economy;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Calls on the Commission to set clear targets for the renovation of building stock across the EU;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Acknowledges that the role of local authorities of European cities in increasing energy efficiency through cogeneration, modernisation of district heating systems, increasing the use of cleaner public transport, encouraging more active travel models and renovation of buildings is also undoubtedly an important contribution to energy independence;
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Local authorities also have a role to play in promoting alternative financing instruments including co-operative models and in the promotion of collective buying agreements to enable consumers to combine their energy demands and therefore lead to cheaper energy prices;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Member States to be ambitious in implementing EU energy efficiency legislation, and thus to be prepared with national and regional measures for sharply reducing energy demand both before and in response to supply shocks; Asks the Commission to examine the feasibility of an EU-wide monitoring system to address such shocks;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Notes however that any short-term measures to sharply reduce energy demands are not an effective way of dealing with the issue - Europe needs a wider plan to ensure continuity of supply;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to carry out a limited review of the Energy Efficiency Directive in order to update the provisions relevant to the indicative 2030 EU energy efficiency improvement target of at least 27 %; believes that increased EU funding should be allocated to these areas and that measurement and verification of energy efficiency improvements should be an integral part of the annual European semester reporting;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to carry out a limited review of the Energy Efficiency Directive in order to update the provisions relevant to the indicative 2030 energy efficiency improvement target of at least 27 %; believes that measurement and verification of energy efficiency improvements should be an integr; believes that a binding EU 2030 energy efficiency target of 40 % to be implemented by means of individual national ptart of the annual European semester reportinggets is the most cost-efficient way to reduce Europe's energy dependency while at the same time protecting industry and households from rising energy bills;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to carry out a limited review of the Energy Efficiency Directive in order to update the provisions relevant to the indicative 2030 EU energy efficiency improvement target of at least 27 %; believes that increased EU funding should be allocated to these areas and that measurement and verification of energy efficiency improvements should be an integral part of the annual European semester reporting and to ensure the full and timely transposition and implementation of these Directives in the Member States;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls also on the Commission to update existing Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives to ensure a renewed focus on energy efficiency in consumer products;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Emphasises that in the interests of ensuring the Directives result in the changes that were originally intended, a review of the impact of the legislation in the Member States would be desirable;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Reminds that regarding energy security, planning and balancing demand and supply; measures on the demand side are as important as measures on the supply side, those measures can be, amongst others, the optimal use of the smart distribution net, smart appliances, demand side management focussed on consumer benefits and micro-generation of renewable energy combined with local storage of energy;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers that investment to moderate energy demand, especially in buildings, is a significant contribution to energy security and also to job creation, tackling energy poverty and environmental concerns, and that this should be taken into account when considering financial allocations;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to consider starting an awareness-raising campaign for European citizens on how to reduce energy consumption in households with easy and cost-efficient methods highlighting the possible savings on their energy bills; calls on the Commission to consider declaring 2016 the European year of Energy Savings
Amendment 348 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Underlines the increasingly important role of energy from renewable sources for securing energy supply in the European Union in the long term; Draws the attention to the fact that the production costs of renewables have considerably dropped during the last years
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers that any energy source that might contribute to energy security in the Union should be taken into account and developed in full compliance with environmental requirements and EU legislation in this field;
Amendment 438 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. BelievNotes that the development of renewable energy sources with the objective of 20 % by 2020 and at least 27 % by 2030 is essential, taking into consideration energy costs; stresses the importance oftechnological evolution of renewable energies currently underway contributes to make them a safe option to increase energy security by, for instance, combining different renewable energy sources and storage mechanisms; stresses the importance of enhancing research and innovation in developing smarter energy grids and new energy storage solutions for the integration of renewables;
Amendment 449 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Considers that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) could play an important role in reducing emissions from a range of indigenous energy sources, allowing for a more diverse and secure energy mix; calls on the Commission to improve the conditions for deployment of CCS; recalls that while previously CCS was considered an untested technology, the opening of the CCS facilities at Boundary Dam in Canada has provided a successful example of this technology at an industrial scale;
Amendment 476 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Emphasises that a more decentralised energy system can facilitate small-scale energy generation and therefore empower consumers to be more involved in the energy market and control their own energy use;
Amendment 499 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses that effective use of research and technological innovations fosters the leadership of European industry and contributes to the main EU energy policy goals, including security of supply, reduction of demand, competitiveness and sustainable development of energy production, transportation and consumption;
Amendment 504 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Emphasises the need to give priority to education, training programmes and sharing of best practices between Member States in the field of innovative energy technologies that have the potential to secure our future energy supplies;
Amendment 506 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Calls on the Commission to provide further support to nuclear fusion research projects like ITER, which will provide Europe with a source of zero-carbon, limitless energy supply, with zero harmful waste;
Amendment 507 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Recognises that without intensive investment in Europe's world-leading science research projects it will not be possible to develop existing and new low carbon technologies to help address the climate crisis facing the planet;
Amendment 528 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses that the commitment toConsiders that reducing greenhouse gas emissions must not underminecontributes to the EU economy’s global competitiveness; considers, therefore, that a complexand therefore stresses that a balanced and coherent approach to climate change and competitiveness is needed to ensure the sustainability of Europe's economy;
Amendment 535 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Commission to examine how to create a level-playing field between European and non-European producers, in particular by studying the feasibility of a carbon border-adjustment mechanism or emission standards;
Amendment 547 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make full use, for the purposes of increased energy security and the transition to a low-carbon economy, of the possibilities allowed for financing energy projects through state aid, as well as the financial instruments available through the European Regional Development Fund, Connecting Europe facility, Horizon 2020, the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument, and the investment facilities of the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and public and private intermediaries;
Amendment 564 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Calls for funding to be provided for the continued development of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies, including, but not limited to, support for pilot projects, storage investigation and transport, as well as storage infrastructure, all of which should be considered key to the successful roll-out of a technology which could help reconcile the EU's often divergent objectives;
Amendment 596 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Believes that one of the most important factors of the completion of a transparent, well-functioning and fully integrated gas and electricity market is the full implementation of the Third Energy Package; Calls on the Commission to increase its efforts to enforce the implementation of the third energy package;
Amendment 674 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Emphasises that energy must be made affordable to all citizens of the EU; considers that avoiding unnecessary consumption, efficiency improvements and sustainable energy investment, particularly in buildings, would enable many households to escape energy poverty which affected one in four EU citizens in 2012; highlights that the problem is likely to worsen given unstable energy security and underlines that while fuel subsidies can provide a respite, this is a temporary solution and subsidies remain an unsustainable option for reducing energy poverty; highlights the inequality of energy poverty in that the pricing structure for customers means that the poor pay more for their energy; invites the Commission to present a communication on energy poverty in Europe, accompanied by an action plan to fight against it; believes that the communication should contain a definition of energy poverty and develop national indicators in order to measure the incidence and evolution of energy poverty in the Union, as well as the efficacy of the measures to be undertaken;
Amendment 683 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. calls on the European Commission to present an action plan to fight against energy poverty which should be implemented by coordinated action plans in the Member States and the exchange of best practices; calls on the European Commission to revise regulation 994/2010 on the security of gas supply in view to present a common definition of "protected customers" to whom gas providers must secure supplies in case of supply disruption for at least 30 days of high demand
Amendment 684 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Notes that ACER plays a pivotal role in ensuring the proper and efficient functioning of a truly integrated Internal European Energy Market; reminds the Commission of ACER's difficult budgetary situation and encourages the Commission to ensure that ACER receives the necessary resources to effectively fulfil its duties;
Amendment 695 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Stresses that actions for the diversification of suppliers, routes and sources of energy to the EU should be accelerated, especially those aimed at creating new transport corridors (such as the Southern Corridor or in the Mediterranean Basin the setting up of a Euro-Mediterranean gas hub); increasing the EU's share of LNG; improving the interconnection of energy grids; completing the Euro-Mediterranean electricity and gas PCIs; developing new storage facilities; and also modernising and upgrading the existing fleet of conventional power plants;
Amendment 708 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Believes that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) could aid the sustainable, low carbon exploitation of fuels from a variety of external sources; therefore, takes the view that CCS could have an important role in reconciling the EU's divergent objectives of a diverse, secure energy supply which simultaneously reduces greenhouse gas emissions;
Amendment 799 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Points out that, in particular for the viability of small energy systems, energy- related intergovernmental agreements between Member States and third country partners remain an important requirement; for Member States to engage with third country energy partners the necessary flexibility should be maintained; such partnerships should be in line with the EU's energy acquis;
Amendment 814 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49 a. Stresses the need for a strong and proactive role for the European Parliament with regards to the development, implementation and review of governance systems in relation to Energy Security, the Energy Union and the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework; underlines that energy policy is a shared competence between Member States and the European Union institutions; stresses in this regard that all proposals impacting European energy policy are to be decided upon using the ordinary legislative procedure and that any attempt to circumvent this procedure would constitute a breach of the Lisbon Treaty;