Community energy policy: strengthening environmental integration

In adopting the report drafted by Mr. Giles CHICHESTER (EPP/ED, UK), the European Parliament welcomed the Commission's endeavours to strengthen environmental integration within Community energy policy, but called for new measures in order to enable Member States that so wish to introduce a coordinated energy CO2 tax, on condition that the total burden of taxation does not increase. It notes that the CO2 reduction policy must not be at the expense of policy on reducing harmful substances that contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain, namely particulates, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Parliament expressed its surprise that the Commission document makes no mention whatsoever of nuclear energy, and calls on the Commission to carry out a study on the respective contributions of the various types of energy to the emission of greenhouse gases in the EU. The Parliament also called on the Commission to: - ensure that all possible technologies are properly evaluated to look at their contribution toward achieving EU emission-reduction targets; - promote exchanges of views between Member States on integrating environment objectives within energy policy and examples of best practice; - consider the introduction of publicity schemes such as an award for best practice in the field of environmentally compatible power generation; - bring forward proposals for a strategy to increase public awareness; - promote the use of co-generation and other methods of utilising waste heat, for example by including this factor in the authorisation and operating conditions for new industrial installations, such as power stations, furnaces and waste incineration plants; - present regular reports to the European Parliament and Council on the progress of integrating environmental objectives within energy policy; - intensify its efforts to inform small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular about environmentally-friendly energy technologies.�