After the eight-week review period, the final government proposal is to be drawn up, and the decision in parliament is planned for autumn. The draft now available for assessment stipulates that in federal states in which there are no spatial energy plans, a dedication should no longer be required for the construction of a plant.
The suitability of the location is already being checked in the EIA procedure, Gewessler explained at a press conference in Vienna on Monday. The approval of the municipality is then obtained in the EIA procedure. If there is already an energy room plan, then only in the zones designated there (e.g. for wind power or photovoltaics) no further dedication is required.
Faster and more efficient procedures
Duplicate tests in the EIA procedure should be avoided in the future. For example, the appearance of the landscape should not be checked again in the EIA procedure if there was already a check in the definition of the corresponding zones.
In order to make the procedures more efficient and faster, “the energy transition also receives a particularly high level of public interest in the procedure,” said the minister. This means that complaints no longer have a suspensive effect.
In addition, project applicants should also be able to provide financial compensation for compensation areas provided for in the permit. This money will then be used by the federal states for compensation areas.
Video: Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler said this at the press conference on Monday
Battle of soil sealing
Gewessler also wants to declare war on soil sealing: If possible, areas that are already sealed should be used first.
The minister expects the measures to significantly speed up the EIA procedures in advance, but “I wouldn’t want to commit myself to an exact percentage right now. I think practice will tell.”
The appraisal of the market premium ordinance, which is intended to mobilize additional funds for the construction of smaller systems (PV, wind, biomass, hydropower), came to an end last week, said Gewessler. “We are currently reviewing all the statements,” said the minister, and the regulation will come quickly.
“Tempo 100 makes an important contribution”
Regarding the discussion about “speed 100” on Autobahns, Gewessler recommended: “Do it, do it, it makes an important contribution.” However, an ordinance based on energy control has two requirements, namely a supply bottleneck and a two-thirds majority in the main committee of the National Council. “We don’t have either at the moment.”
Video: Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) and Christoph Wagner (President of Renewable Energy Austria) answer journalists’ questions
Source: Nachrichten
