18 Amendments of Judith A. MERKIES related to 2012/2005(INI)
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the share in Europe's energy mix accounted for by renewable energy sources (RES) is growing in the short, medium and long term; whereas the large-scale integration of RES asks for adaptation of the grid and improved flexibility;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas an internal European energy market must be competitive and deliver real choice and transparent information to the consumer who is central in the energy market; whereas an internal energy market might be a way to bring down energy prices and to combat energy poverty;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas a common EU energy policy is necessary to address the many challenges in the climate and energy field and to create a transparent EU energy market;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges that the trend of rising energy prices is likely to continue given its link to fuel prices, the impact of climate policy and the investments needed to maintain and modernise energy systemsEurope's dependency to fossil fuel imports, the external costs of traditional generation and the investments needed to maintain and modernise energy systems to maintain high levels of security of supply, facilitate the integration of RES, and enable the European internal market;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises the European added value of better coordinating the Member States' energy policies, in a spirit of solidarity, and of creating efficient and secure trans- border energy systems, thereby creating synergies through improved management of the supply and demand of energy, facilitated through smart technologies at distribution system level;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes the importance of stimulating local cooperatives for renewable energy and collective switching initiatives in increasing citizens participation, improving accessibility of renewable energy and generating financial investments;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that smart technologies must not be restricted to automatic meter- reading only butdeliver accurate, understandable and user-friendly information to the consumer and must empower this consumer to control his energy use and production; therefore smart technologies must be completed with dynamic, online grid management incorporating such services as grid support services, voluntary demand- side response, energy efficiency services, micro-generation and local or home brokers;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that vulnerable consumers must be protected and that, to that end, effective mechanisms must be put in place, while distortions of the energy market are avoidedconsumers in vulnerable situations require special, effective protection, and thus calls on Member States to find out the best way to protect and assist them;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Emphasises that facilitating microgeneration can empower consumers to have more control over their energy use and reduce energy poverty; calls for special attention to be paid to tenants who are often deterred of generating their own energy;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that the internal energy market is not completed yet and that national energy markets falls short of satisfying the needs and expectations of consumers, as they continue to face high prices, a limited choice of suppliers, an overall low quality of services, weak consumer protection and difficulties in switching supplier; stresses, therefore, the need to build a more user- friendly market where consumers can play an active role and become prosumers in the market;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that the lack of full implementation of internal energy market legislation remains the main obstacle for the completion of this market; underlines the need to tackle structural market distortions, such as ongoing fossil fuel and nuclear subsidies and lack of market transparency; calls on the Commission to increase its efforts to enforce the implementation of the third energy package;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Acknowledges that energy markets are still largely imbalanced between the powers of individual consumers and energy companies; stresses the need for additional tools that empower consumers to collectively bargain and get better deals;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that modernising the existing infrastructure, and building new, intelligent and flexible generation, transmission, distribution and storage infrastructure, is essential for a well-integrated and well- connected energy market, where supply at affordable prices is secured, where the potential for cogeneration and efficiency demand-side management and storage, and for exploiting renewable and unconventional energy sources, is fully exploited, and where no Member State remains isolated from the European gas and electricity networks; notes, in this regard, that a decentralised renewable energy supply reduces the need to build new transmission lines – and hence the associated costs- as decentralised technologies -which can be directly integrated in homes, cities and remote areas- are much closer to the end- consumers;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Notes in addition that the integration of renewable energy sources will require an enhanced cooperation between transmission and distribution system operators in order to better accommodate the rising share of distributed generation; emphasises the importance to implement new approaches to overcome bottlenecks on the distribution grids, which do not always entail grid extension and reinforcement;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Believes that energy efficiency is one of the most sustainable and cost-effective ways of reducing energy bills, enhancing security of supply, reducing fossil fuel import needs and avoiding carbon emissions; recognises that any measure which promotes energy efficiency must be appropriate to the needs of consumers, cost-effective and supported by the right incentives;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses that the lack of transparency and the existence of anticompetitive practices in wholesale energy markets undermine consumer trust; believes there is an urgent need to understand cost formation in wholesale markets as well as the impact on consumers' bills; calls therefore on the Commission to come up with concrete proposals by the end of 2014 on how to overcome these imperfections, for example through direct price links between spot market and retail level prices;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that a stable regulatory framework – for producers, regulators, network operators, energy suppliers, demand-related service providers and, most importantly, end consumers and prosumers – is essential for a well-functioning internal market and for attracting long-term investment in infrastructure development; underlines that development of network codes anencompassing sound, non- discriminatory and well-balanced rules should lead to harmonisation of proceduresgrid management, market design and interoperability;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Emphasises the importance of integrated intraday and balancing markets and highlights that, as the current achievements in day-ahead market integration have been encouraging, further steps need to be taken to enable the wider national uptake and European integration of intraday and balancing markets as these market forms are crucial for the efficient integration of large amounts of variable renewable energy sources and for cost-efficient system operation in general;