- We are in a situation where Europe is still dependent on Russian gas. Every day we use gas from Russia, which indirectly helps finance Putin's war. It is unacceptable.
This is what Dan Jørgensen, the EU Commissioner for Housing and Energy, said in a speech to the European Parliament. His action plan to lower the price of energy was discussed in the Parliament on Thursday. The plan also focuses on eliminating greenhouse gas emissions in industry and increasing European competitiveness.
In his speech, Dan Jørgensen points out, among other things, that two out of three European industries pay more for their energy than their competitors in the US and China. According to Kira Marie Peter-Hansen (SF), the plan is "an important step in the right direction". In the European Parliament, she belongs to the Greens group. However, she warns against making the economy even more dependent on fossil fuels with the aim of lowering energy prices quickly. Here she points in particular to new investments in gas pipelines and long-term gas agreements.
- I share the desire to lower energy prices as quickly as possible, but we are doing ourselves a disservice if we lose sight of the long-term climate goals, says Kira Marie Peter-Hansen.
One of the plan's more specific goals is that projects that promote green energy can receive permits within six months.
- It should no longer take several years or decades, as it can right now, says Dan Jørgensen.
However, he also says that gas will continue to be part of the European energy supply for the time being. According to Dan Jørgensen, the fight against climate change, increased competitiveness in the EU and Europe's independence from Russian gas can all happen at the same time.
- The good thing is that the tools to achieve those goals - to become independent from fossil fuels and to decarbonise our economies - are also the tools to increase our competitiveness, says Dan Jørgensen.
The Greens' Kira Marie Peter-Hansen agrees that investments are the way forward.
- We must significantly increase our investments in renewable energy. That is how we actually ensure a sustainable and economically independent future for the whole of Europe, she says.
jel /ritzau/
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