The Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism met today, Tuesday, 29 March 2022, and discussed the following issues:
1.
(Fak. No. 23.01.063.066-2022)
The committee began discussion of the above bill, during which a representative of the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry presented the main provisions contained therein.
The purpose of the Bill is to enact legislation establishing a legal entity under public law called "Public Natural Gas Enterprise" for the purpose of supplying natural gas in the Republic, distributing and transporting it within the Republic and developing, operating and managing all the infrastructure necessary for the exercise of its functions.
The Committee decided to proceed to the article-by-article discussion of the bill at its next session.
2.The Law on Specifications, Sustainability Criteria and Reduction of Fuel Emissions of 2022.
(Fak. No. 23.01.063.047-2022)
The committee continued, in the presence of government officials and representatives of stakeholders, the discussion of the bill, the purpose of which is to enact new legislation for the purpose of harmonization with "Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources", and to modernize the current legislation on fuel quality. The committee considered a number of issues that remained outstanding from its previous meeting.
In particular, the Committee discussed provisions concerning, inter alia: the liability of a designated inspector or ship inspector for any act or decision in the exercise of his duties; the possibility for electricity suppliers for use in road vehicles to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; the offences and penalties that may be imposed in cases of infringements and the liability of consumers in the case of the supply of fuels not controlled by the Republic; the possibility of a hierarchical appeal before the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry against a decision of the A
The Committee decided to continue the discussion at its next meeting.
3. The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Fund Operation Act of 2022
(No. Fak. 23.01.063.048-2022)
4.The Law on the Promotion and Encouragement of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources of 2022.
(No. Fak. 23.01.063.049-2022)
The Committee continued, in the presence of the relevant government departments and representatives of stakeholders, the discussion of the bills, during which it examined certain issues that remained pending from its previous meeting.
The purpose of the first bill is to introduce new legislation to improve the operation of the Renewable Energy and Energy Saving Fund and enhance its effectiveness in promoting renewable energy and energy saving, as well as in achieving the respective national binding targets. The purpose of the second bill is to adopt new legislation to harmonize with the "Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources."
As regards the first bill, the committee was mainly concerned with the provisions concerning: the financing of joint projects of the Republic and third countries, joint support schemes and actions related to the statistical transfer of a certain amount of energy from renewable sources from a Member State to the European Union.
