Beam me to Planet Gore !
Posted on 11/03/2011 4:59:27 PM PDT by Olog-hai
Targets proposed in the EU’s draft energy efficiency directive are being contested by member states, with Britain and the Netherlands pushing for some provisions to be deleted entirely, EurActiv has learned.
One headline figure in the original directive—a mandatory 3% annual public buildings renovation rate—has been slated for deletion in the latest EU draft, seen by EurActiv.
One EU diplomat involved in the discussions told EurActiv that the amendment had been made because of “the current budgetary restraints of member states. Because of these, there are many questions by member states about what the implication of this specific provision would be,” the diplomat said. “There are many different views in play on how this could be changed.”
Buildings account for 40% of the Europe's primary energy consumption and 36% of the CO2 emissions. …
Britain complained that the building renovation proposals were “likely to result in considerable extra expenditure for member states on works which are not always cost-effective.” Amsterdam even proposed a “deletion” of the directive’s flagship 1.5% savings target for energy companies. “The Netherlands is not in favor of an obligatory target set by the EU,” the submission said. “Member states should be able to decide for themselves on the level of energy efficiency measures needed.” Such statements elicited deep sighs from environmentalists. …
(Excerpt) Read more at euractiv.com ...
Ping.
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