25 Amendments of Pilar del CASTILLO VERA related to 2015/2323(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
- having regard to the Recommendation 2012/148/UE of the European Commission, of 9 March 2012, on preparations for the roll-out of smart metering systems,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that the ongoing energy transition is resulting in a move away from a centralised, inflexible, fossil fuel-based energy systemless flexible energy system based on centralized generation, to one which is more decentraliszed, and flexible andwith an increased share of renewables- based energy;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point a
Paragraph 3 – point a
a. provide citizens with stable, affordable, sustainable, fair and transparent energy, energy-efficient products and housing; through a smart and integrated energy system;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point c
Paragraph 3 – point c
c. contribute to eradicateing the causes of energy poverty;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
da. create the right conditions to boost competition and access to information in energy markets;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that, as a general principle, the energy transition should result in a more decentralised and democefficient, cost-oriented, transparent, and integraticed energy system which benefits society as a whole, increases the involvement of citizens and local communities, andith increased consumer participation which benefits consumers as a whole, empowersing them to own or share in the ownership of the production, distribution and storage of energy, while at the same time protecting the most vulnerable thus contributing to achieving the political objectives of the European Union; asks the Commission to evaluate current breaches of consumer rights in the energy market;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the aim of the Third Energy Package to provide a truly competitive, transparent and consumer- friendly retail energy market has not yet been realised, as evidenced by low levels of consumer switching and satisfaction across the EU, persistent high levels of market concentration, and the failure to reflect falling wholesale costs in retail prices;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a
Paragraph 6 – point a
a. Recommends improving the transparency and clarity of bills and contracts, which should include information on the final price, with an explanation of the different taxes, levies and tariffs, together with information on the different energy sources and complaint handlingconcepts, complaint handling (including companies and public administration), clear indication of contact points, and information on switching and energy efficiency measures; insists that clear language must be used, with technical terms either avoided or clearly explained; requests the Commission to identify minimum standards in this respect;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point b
Paragraph 6 – point b
Amendment 164 #
d. Recommends that there should be a limited range of standardised tariffs,Considers that information relating to different tariffs must be transparent, clear and accessible in order to facilitate price comparison between different suppliers and tariffs and avoid a confusing array of different tariffs for the same productand maintain retail competition between suppliers;
Amendment 175 #
e. Recommends that consideration be given to requiring energy suppliersConsiders that energy suppliers must be required to automatically place customers on the most advantageous grid tariff, based on historic consumption patterns, which is already a normal practice in some Member States; notes, given that switching rates are low throughout Europe, that many households, especially the most vulnerable, are not engaged in the energy market and are stuck on outdated expensive tariffs; considers therefore that there is a lack of transparency concerning prices and information which needs to be addressed urgently;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point f
Paragraph 6 – point f
f. Recommends measures to enable retail prices to better reflect wholesale prices and thus reverse the trend of an increasing proportion of fixed elements in energy bills, in particular network charges, taxes and levies, which are often regressive elements; recommends that such elements be applied progressively or, where, possible funded from alternative sources;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Insists that the provisions on switching, as set out in the Third Energy Package, should be fully implemented by Member States, and that national legislation must guarantee consumers the right to change suppliers in a quick, easy and cost-free way, with no termination fees or penalties unless otherwise agreed in a contract between the customer and the supplier;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that local authorities, communitpanies and individuals should form the backbone of the energy transition and should be actively supported to help them become energy producers and suppliers on an equal footing with other players;hrough a stable regulatory framework to help consumers become energy producers and suppliers, always based on the optimal functioning of the storage and distribution energy system
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that access to capital, high upfront investment costs and long repayment periods representfix costs of energy bills can be a barriers to for the take-updevelopment of self-generation and energy efficiency measures; calls, therefore, for the development of new business models and innovative financial instruments to incentivise self-generation, consumption and energy efficiency for all consumers; suggests that this should become a priority for the EIB, EFSI and the Structural Funds on Members States to promote the implementation of "best practices on renewable energy self- consumption";
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for stable and sufficient remuneration schemes to guarantee investor certainty and increase the take-up of small-scale renewable energy; calls for monitoring market development, grid roll- out and the impact on the energy system; believes that grid tariffs and other fees should be non-discriminatory and should fairly reflect the impact of the consumer onall the benefits for the grid, while guaranteeing sufficient funding for the maintenance and development of distribution grids; regrets the recent abrupt changes to support schemes in certain Member States, as well as the introduction of unfair and punitive taxes or fees which are detrimental to the continued expansion of self-generation;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recommends reducing to an absolute minimum the administrative barriers to new self-generation capacity, and suggests replacing lengthy authorisation procedures with a simple notification requirement; due to grid security reasons calls for facilities connected to the distribution grid be registered and that DSO have access to that registry; suggests that the revision of the renewable energy directive could include specific provisions to remove barriers and promote community/cooperative energy schemes; reminds that minimum information requirements are needed in order to design national energy policies, and that, in some Member States, a limited capacity could be stablished, in order to allow an integrated and ordered development of the system;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Believes that consumers should have easy and timely access to their consumption data in both volume and monetary terms, to help them make informed decisions; believes that where smart meters are rolled out there should be a solid legal framework to ensure an end to back-billing billing estimation and a rollout that is efficient and affordable for consumers and is free of charge for energy-poor consumers; insists that efficiency savings from smart meters should be shared on a fair basis between grid operators and users;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Emphasises that the development of smart technologies mustand grids are a requirement to establish a European Energy system were consumers production is integrated, not leaveing the most vulnerable or less engaged consumers behind, nor see bills rise;
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Highlights the need to develop smart grids and appliances which automate the management of energy demand in response to price signals;
Amendment 380 #
21. Calls for the development of a strong EU framework to fight energy poverty, including a broad, common but non- quantitative definition of energy poverty, focusing on the idea that access to affordable energy is a basic social right; urges the Commission to prioritise measures to alleviate energy poverty in upcoming legislative proposals and to present a dedicated action plan by mid- 2017public administrations should guarantee that basic household energy needs are covered at affordable prices; urges Member States to solve this problem with efficient energy and social policies;
Amendment 411 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that energy efficiency measures are central to any strategy to address energy poverty and are much cheaper in the long run than tackling the issue exclusively throughcomplementary to social security policies; calls for action to ensure that energy- efficient renovation of existing buildings gives priority to energy-poor citizens in the context of the review of the EPBD; suggests that an objective of reducing the number of energy- inefficient homes by 2030 should be considered, with a focus on rental properties and social housing; believes that an integrated smart energy system will directly benefit energy efficiency and consequently consumers.
Amendment 434 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for EU funds for energy efficiency and support for self-generation to also target energy-poor, low-income consumers and address the issue of split incentives between tenants and owners;