Local authorities want bigger role in achieving energy efficiency

European Union mayors have written to European Commissioner for Energy, Andris Piebalgs, asking him to take account of the potential local authorities can offer in drafting his action plan on energy efficiency. According to the mayors, the implementation of measures to improve energy efficiency "will not be effective without the involvement of local players". The Commission published a discussion paper, a so called "Green Paper", on energy efficiency on 22 June 2005. In this green paper only a very limited role is granted to local and regional authorities. The mayors, supported by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), EnergieCit�s, Climate Alliance and Eurocities, argue that local and regional authorities can influence energy demand through management of their own energy use, public procurement and transport policy decisions. They can also influence energy supply by promoting renewable energy sources and local energy production, such as combined heat and power.