New EU law to cut in energy use

On 17 May a new EU law on end-use energy efficiency and energy services came into force. This Directive aims to cut energy use by 9% over business-as-usual in the period from 2008 to 2017. EU Member States must transpose the EU Directive into national law and set up a series of energy efficiency action plans. The conversion into national law has to take place in May 2008, with the exception of three sub-articles to be incorporated in May 2006. Information on existing energy saving practices must be supplied before 16 November 2006. The submission of national action plans and the assessment of these plans by the Commission must be done as soon as possible. The European Commission will react on each national plan within six months of its submission. After that, the plan will enter force.