JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
22.9.2008
- –Giles Chichester and Urszula Gacek, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
- –Hannes Swoboda and Robert Goebbels, on behalf of the PSE Group
- –Wolf Klinz, Sophia in 't Veld and Anne Laperrouze, on behalf of the ALDE Group
- –Andrzej Tomasz Zapałowski, Zbigniew Krzysztof Kuźmiuk, Eugenkjus Maldeikis, Adam Bielan, Ewa Tomaszewska and Mieczysław Edmund Janowski, on behalf of the UEN Group
- –PPE-DE (B6‑0428/2008)
- –ALDE (B6‑0431/2008)
- –PSE (B6‑0436/2008)
- –UEN (B6‑0445/2008)
European Parliament resolution on getting a grip on energy prices
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its resolutions on oil dependency of 29 September 2005 (P6‑TA (2005)361) and on the crisis in the fisheries sector caused by rising fuel prices of 19 June 2008 (P6-TA (2008)308),
– having regard to the Communication from the Commission on 'Facing the challenge of higher oil prices' (COM (2008)0384),
– having regard to the Presidency conclusions of the European Council of 19-20 June 2008,
– having regard to the agreement at the informal ECOFIN Council of 12-13 September 2008,
– having regard to Rule 108(5) of the Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas in the summer oil prices reached their all-time highest level in real terms, prices of other energy products have also risen and consumer fuel prices have been following the trend of the crude oil price; whereas the weak dollar has contributed to pressure on oil prices,
B. whereas estimates indicate that oil prices may stay high in the medium- to long-term and this will have a negative impact on inflation and the growth of the EU economy,
C. whereas the higher energy price levels are undermining the purchasing power of EU citizens, with the most negative impact being on the lowest income households and energy-intensive industry sectors,
D. whereas the hike in energy prices is influenced by a combination of complex sets of factors: structural shift of oil supply and demand, shrinking number and size of new oilfields; limited oil production expansion; geopolitical factors; less investment in technology advances; higher investment costs; and lack of qualified workforce in the main producing countries; whereas some oil producing countries tend to use their natural resources for political purposes,
E. whereas the increased transparency, reliability and more frequent publication of data on commercial oil stocks are important for the efficient functioning of oil markets,
F. whereas the current financial turmoil has pushed investors to seek alternative investments and has contributed to increased short-term price volatility,
G. whereas the EU economy is still highly dependent on imported oil, and potential new fields are mostly in 'unconventional deposits', making investment costs higher for their development,
H. whereas a common European foreign policy on energy, based on solidarity and diversification of supply, would create synergies ensuring security of supply for the European Union and would enhance the EU's strength, capacity for action in foreign policy matters and credibility as a global actor,
1. Emphasises, that unless there is a global concerted shift in energy policy and consumption, the energy demand will continue to grow in the coming decades; expresses its concern at the increase in energy prices, notably because of its negative effect on the world economy and consumers, which is also hampering the attainment of the EU's Lisbon Strategy objectives;
2. Underlines the necessity to take measures that will enable the EU economy to maintain its competitiveness and to adapt to the new energy price environment;
3. Calls for strong political commitment to take concrete measures towards cutting energy demand, to promote renewables and energy efficiency, and to pursue diversification of energy supply and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels; considers this shift to be the most appropriate response to higher energy prices, to increase stability in the energy markets, to deliver long-term cost benefits to consumers and to meet the objectives of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its related Kyoto Protocol; endorses the need for those strategic measures necessarily to be followed up by commensurate financial resources in R&D;
4. Considers that short-term and targeted measures should be taken by Member States to alleviate the negative impact on the poorest households; highlights the fact, however, that measures inducing more inflation should be avoided as they can be a detriment to public finance sustainability and neutralised by higher prices of oil;
5. Reiterates its first-reading position on Amending Directives 2003/54/EC (Morgan report) and 2003/55/EC (La Russa report); considers that the Commission should bring forward a communication on tackling energy poverty in the European Union; calls on Member States to provide national definitions of energy poverty and to develop national action plans to eradicate energy poverty; calls on the Commission to monitor and coordinate the data provided by Member States, in addition to ensuring that universal and public service obligations are respected;
6. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the proposed Consumer Charter for Energy clearly sets out consumers' rights; calls on the national regulatory authorities to use the powers at their disposal to help consumers;
7. Notes the drop in crude oil prices to 100 dollars per barrel in the last few weeks, breaking the trend of continuous rising oil prices; notes with concern, however, that consumers are continuing to pay higher energy prices, not always fully reflecting downward fluctuations in crude oil prices; calls on the Commission to monitor price developments, in particular with regard to how price increases or reductions affect consumers;
8. Calls on the Commission to guarantee compliance with existing EU competition rules, with particular focus on investigating and fighting anti-competitive practices in the gas and electricity sectors, as well as in oil refining and distribution to points of consumption;
9. Calls on the Commission to investigate the linkage between oil and gas prices in long-term gas contracts and to come up with an adequate policy response;
10. Encourages measures that help the adjustment process of energy-intensive industries and services in order to be more energy-efficient; asks the Commission, however, to monitor the impact of such measures and to take appropriate action in the event of competition distortion;
11. Stresses, furthermore, that renewable energy sources, combined with energy conservation measures, including incentives to improve household energy efficiency, reduce Europe’s dependence on energy imports and thus diminish the political and economic risks resulting from these imports;
12. Calls on the Commission to ensure that energy saving, energy efficiency and renewable energies are prioritised in the design of future EU energy policy, in particular under the upcoming Strategic Energy Review;
13. Considers that the EIB should have a more prominent role in providing funding for energy efficiency, renewables and R&D projects, especially with a focus on SMEs;
14. Notes the increase in tax revenues on energy in some Member States due to recent oil price increases; underlines the importance of adequate fiscal policies, as a means of reducing dependence on fossil fuels, addressing climate change and creating incentives for investments in energy-efficiency, renewable energy and environmentally friendly products;
15. Invites the Commission to present its proposal on the Energy Tax Directive review, having carefully examined the effects that taxation measures could have on inflation, new investments, and on the transition to a low-carbon and EU energy-efficient economy;
16. Stresses the importance of the increased transparency and reliability of data on oil markets and oil commercial stocks; considers it important to improve the understanding of oil products price development; calls for a timely revision of the Community legislation on emergency oil stocks;
17. Stresses that the EU should speak with one voice as regards energy policy; reiterates the importance of an EU common energy policy and commitment to the European Neighbourhood Policy; believes in this respect that the EU should take the lead in the energy dialogue with key oil and gas supply countries; welcomes the idea of a high-level summit between oil and gas consuming and producing countries, aimed at greater stability of prices, more predictability in supplies and payment for sales in euros;
18. Encourages EU companies to be more proactive, by making further investments, and to take the lead in new technology know-how and engineering skills in order to remain key partners with the main oil producing countries; notes that investments are particularly needed to develop the refining and exploration capabilities in order to cope with increasing demand;
19. Notes that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should be improved within the major energy companies in order to channel more private investment in the energy industry into energy-saving programmes and alternative energy technologies and related R&D;
20. Invites the Member States to coordinate policy interventions in tackling energy prices increase; calls on the Commission to come up with an analysis based on Member States' 'best practice' policy measures in their response to high energy price challenges;
21. Calls on the Council to achieve an agreement as soon as possible on the next key steps towards achieving a fully liberalised internal energy market, as this will contribute to reducing EU vulnerability to energy prices and enhance security of supply; reaffirms in this respect its strong support for the completion of the EU internal energy market;
22. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.