ALTENER II: multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources

Adopted in the Committee was the recommendation for second reading by Undine-Ute BLOCH VON BLOTTNITZ (D, Greens) on Council's common position concerning ALTENER II, the multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community. Although Council incorporated many of Parliament's the amendments from first reading into its common position, the rapporteur had retabled amendments relating to the reference amount introduced by Council and some amendments from first reading which were not. All these amendments were adopted. Mrs BLOCH VON BLOTTNITZ felt that the introduction of a reference amount of ECU 22 million was unacceptable. This called into question Parliament's budgetary powers. Apart from that, the amount was so small (the Commission had expected 30 MECU) that all the Council's statements about greater efforts to achieve cliamate protection achieved almost ridiculous. The Council was demonstrating again that it was not actually prepared to put its words into action. Parliament, she added, should not be put off by the setting of the reference amount because, as a budget authority, it is not bound by it in steiing the funding for ALTENER II. Instead of the 22 MECU, an amendment was adopted stating that the appropriations available for each individual year for the implementation of the programme should be authorisized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspectives.