EEG 2.0 passes Bundesrat

Published on July 11, 2014 in Environmental Politics, Legislation and Renewable. Closed Tags: , , .

In its last session before the summer recess, the Federal Council (Bundesrat) followed the vote of the Bundestag (Parliament) of 27 June 2014 regarding the revision of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).  Now Federal President  (Bundespräsident) Joachim Gauck is due to sign the bill before the EEG reform package can enter into force on 1 August.

Even though the Federal States (Länder) criticized various aspects of the EEG revision – such as shortcomings for the biomass industry – they decided in today’s session not to appeal the Mediation Committee (Vermittlungsausschuss). The appeal of the Mediation Committee would have been a wrong signal to the industry and investors said Prime Minister of Thuringia Christine Lieberknecht (CDU). Therefore the Bunderat did not appeal the Mediation Committee  and thus clearing the way for the law to come into force on 1 August.

Nevertheless, the Federal Stated expect amendment of the revised EEG in short-term. “After the game is before the game” Johannes Remmel, minister of environment of North-Rhine-Westphalia said.

 The Bundesrat also approved the opening clause to stipulate minimum wind powers distances. In a first session on this topic the Federal Council raised concerns against such clause. But in today’s session the suggestion of the environment committee to appeal the Mediation Committee did not receive the support of a majority of the Bundesrat. Bavaria stated that it will make use of this clause and indicate a minimum distance of 1o times of the hight of a wind power plant.

Furthermore also the EU seems to be content with the EEG revision. After months of negotiations, Berlin and Brussels have settled their dispute regarding the amended EEG and its compatibility with state aid guidelines.  “We now have a definitive, final agreement reached ,” said EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia in Brussels on Wednesday. He is preparing a positive decision.

Source: Bundesrat, Spiegel

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by Stefanie Blasberg
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