Federal Government invites public to talks on "Energy of the Future" monitoring process
Joint press release by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
Dr. Philipp Rösler, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, and Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, have invited the public to submit suggestions and ideas for the "Energy of the Future" monitoring process initiated by the Federal Government.
A joint conference on the monitoring process was held in Berlin today by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The event was attended by experts from research establishments, business and environmental associations, agencies of the Länder and other organisations.
The monitoring process is used by the Federal Government to keep tabs on progress on the implementation of the Energy Concept, including the targets contained in it, with a view to a secure, economic and environmentally compatible supply of energy. This will make it possible to quickly fine-tune the process should the need arise. The process is being backed by an independent Monitoring Commission consisting of four renowned energy experts.
Today's event on monitoring in the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology marks the start of the dialogue with the public. Citizens, companies, associations and all stakeholders have until 15 July 2012 to make comments and suggestions about the monitoring to the Federal Network Agency. The Agency has published background documents on its website about the "Energy of the Future" monitoring process.
The Federal Government will take account of the comments when it presents its first Monitoring Report before the end of the year. Submissions received by the Federal Network Agency after 15 July 2012 will feed into next year's monitoring process.
Federal Minister Dr. Rösler stated: "The monitoring process serves to inform our citizens about the progress on the restructuring of our energy supply and to provide possibilities to join in the process. It is a contribution to greater honesty in the assessment of the energy reforms, and ensures comprehensive transparency. This increases the public acceptance of our energy policy. The reforms will only succeed if we work together. At the same time, the monitoring process offers the opportunity to fine-tune the restructuring of the energy supply where necessary."
Federal Minister Altmaier declared: "The energy reforms enjoy broad popular support. We want to strengthen this national consensus by means of open processes and possibilities to get involved at an early stage. The aims for our energy supply of the future are clear: the central pillars of our energy reforms are continued expansion of renewables and a substantial increase in energy efficiency. We must be just as clear in defining the challenges we are now facing. It is important and necessary for there to be an open review of what we have achieved so far, so that we can fine-tune as required in good time."
Background information (in German) on the monitoring process and the dialogue with the public can be accessed on the website of the Federal Network Agency.
