European regions ready to work with the EU on renewable energies but ask for more concrete action on unbundling

The European Union is working on new regulations for binding targets on renewables, after the last European Council opened a new era in EU energy policies.

The member regions of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) welcome the binding target of a 20% share of renewable energies in overall EU energy consumption by the year 2020: this is exactly what we had asked for, on the eve of the EU leaders' summit.
We also believe that the minimum target of a 10% share of biofuels in overall EU transport consumption can constitute a further boost to a sustainable and greener energy for our future.

The AER regions are ready to engage in a consultation with the European Commission, in view of the 2007 framework proposal on renewable energies: regions have already been working hard on this topic for several years. A clear example of our engagement is the Declaration of the "European Regions for Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources". 75 regional authorities have signed it.
 
Regions have the necessary experience and know-how in the renewables field: they are ready to give their contribution at the European level, but need support for their projects from the EU and its member States.

On the other hand, European regions regret the vague commitment that EU leaders took on the unbundling of generating and transmission capacity in the gas and electricity sectors: regions have already proved that the current "status quo" is costing too much to European citizens. Therefore they strongly hope that the European Commission will stick to its original line, when it presents its legislative proposal after the summer break. Half-way solutions are not enough: real unbundling is what Europe needs!

Regional experts on renewables can be contacted through AER's press office: Sergio Nava, Spokesperson, s.nava@a-e-r.org - Mobile: +33 678695235, Tel.: +33 3 88 22 74 36; Francine Huhardeaux, Press Officer, f.huhardeaux@a-e-r.org - Mobile: +33 678 695203, Tel. +33 3 88 22 74 49

NOTE FOR JOURNALISTS: our 'Sustainable Energy Policy Report' showcases some of our best projects in the field of renewables and energy efficiency. Journalists can download the .pdf document by clicking on this link:
www.a-e-r.org/fileadmin/_temp_/Press_tmp/Energysem-report.pdf  

The Assembly of European Regions-AER (www.a-e-r.org) is the political organisation of Regions in Europe and their spokesperson at European and international level. Its vocation is to defend the Regions' interests In the political process and develop interregional cooperation. AER brings together 250 Regions from 32 European Countries and 14 interregional organisations.