De Palacio crafting ‘sane solutions’

Date: 17/06/04

By Karen Carstens

LOYOLA de Palacio has been unfairly depicted by green groups and the media as a 'scapegoat' for 'bad' EU energy policies favouring fossil fuels and nuclear power over renewables, a top EU official close to the commissioner has claimed.

The EU transport and energy chief has consistently sought to craft sane solutions featuring a mix of energy options, he insisted.

The most recent row with green groups has centred around setting new long-term targets for EU-wide renewable energy consumption.

A 2001 directive aims to increase to 12% the share of renewables in total energy consumption by 2010 and a 20% target for 2020 was under discussion for inclusion in a recently released European Commission communication.

In defence of de Palacio after reports suggested she had single-handedly squashed this option, the official claimed that “there were several cabinets which were opposed” to the suggested targets.

“It was only Schreyer and Wallström who wanted to set a new target,” he added, referring to commissioners Michaele Schreyer, budget, and Margot Wallström, environment.

So de Palacio decided to remove the draft renewables communication from the Commission's meeting agenda on 19 May, only to reintroduce it a week later, when it was adopted the source said. It suggests that a 2020 target be set in 2007.

A senior European Union official (unnamed) has defended European Commissioner for Transport and Energy Loyola de Palacio against depictions of her by green groups and the media as a scapegoat for 'bad' EU energy policies favouring fossil fuels and nuclear power over renewable energy.