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To: T L Comiskey who wrote (83279)	10/17/2006 11:12:50 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Respond to of 363114

EU plans tough laws on energy efficiency By George Parker in Brussels Published: October 16 2006 22:08 \| Last updated: October 16 2006 22:08 Wasteful television standby settings and the energy efficiency of computers and water heaters are to be targeted in a new legislative drive aimed at slicing €100bn a year from the European Union’s energy bill, in a move that could impose Europe’s green agenda on the world. Stringent new European Commission energy efficiency targets for items such as electrical appliances and cars could set new global standards, since all imports into the European market would have to comply. In a move reflecting Europe’s growing fears about its energy dependence on the rest of the world, as well as its preference for high environmental standards, Andris Piebalgs, EU energy commissioner, will announce on Thursday that he wants to put the bloc on course for a 20 per cent energy saving by 2020. The plans will be backed by a raft of new regulations, including measures aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions that would help Europe meet its obligations under the Kyoto treaty. New energy standards for buildings would also be set. From next year he wants to implement directives setting down minimum energy performance requirements for 14 priority products, including boilers, computers, washing machines, office lighting and air conditioning. His plan says “special attention will be devoted to standby loss reduction” – a reference to the power-consuming standby modes on televisions and other appliances. Mr Piebalgs’ paper also proposes tougher rules on energy efficiency labelling. It says the additional investment spent on achieving greater energy efficiency will be “more than compensated” by annual savings of €100bn in the EU’s fuel bill. The proposed regulations – including extensions of existing rules – would impose European energy efficiency standards on any company worldwide seeking access to the EU’s 480m consumers, including US manufacturers. European standards and norms in the car sector and mobile telephony have already become accepted in many countries worldwide, to the annoyance of Washington, which believes the EU sets too many rules. Mr Piebalgs’ paper will be published on the eve of this week’s European summit in Lahti, Finland, where leaders will discuss the EU’s growing dependence on external energy suppliers. Meli Luigi, director-general of the European “white goods” manufacturers association CECED, said a voluntary approach to raising energy efficiency had already led to a cut of about 40 per cent in the power consumed by fridges in little over a decade. The industry body fears new rules laid down in Brussels could put manufacturers in a “straitjacket”. Mr Piebalgs’ paper will also propose new minimum energy performances for new and renovated buildings and legislation next year, if necessary, to achieve the desired cuts in carbon dioxide emissions from cars by 2012. His plans need to be approved by member states before becoming law. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006 ft.com