MEPs DEMAND TOUGHER NATIONAL TARGETS FOR ENERGY SAVING (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

MEPs DEMAND TOUGHER NATIONAL TARGETS FOR ENERGY SAVING

June 7, 2005 12:00 AM

MEPs voted today in favour of tougher national targets and a more flexible approach to energy saving. The European Parliament has called on Member States to adopt ambitious binding targets to achieve energy savings of at least 11.5% by 2015. This will be achieved by developing a competitive market in energy efficiency services.

Commenting on the vote Fiona Hall, Euro MP for the North East and spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, said she was pleased that the Parliament has insisted on the adoption of binding targets on energy efficiency:

"This represents a significant move towards creating an energy efficient Europe. The European Parliament is taking the lead in sending out a strong message that Europe needs to curb its growth in energy consumption for the good of the economy and the environment.

"It is now up to Energy Ministers from the member states to show similar commitment. Member States need to be obliged to make energy savings but given sufficient flexibility in choosing how they go about it"

Commenting on the adoption of her amendment to introduce regular accurate billing based on consumption through improved metering Fiona Hall said:

"In particular, I am very pleased that the Parliament has incorporated measures to boost innovative metering technology and accurate, regular billing based on actual consumption. This will make a real difference to vulnerable consumers in helping them to save money by cutting their energy use and in stopping the widespread problem of serious debt from unexpectedly large fuel bills."