Third reading of the Draft Act amending the Building Code and other Acts (acceleration of the deployment of renewable energy) (Bill 308 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
Date: 2024-05-28 13:20
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 12
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 20m
AI Summaries: 12/12 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first item on the agenda concerns the third reading of Draft Law 308, initiated by the Government of the Republic, regarding the amendment of the Building Code and other acts, the aim of which is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in Estonia. The objective of the draft is to create a clearer and faster legal framework that would enable the development of renewable energy projects, especially offshore wind farms, and to consolidate the three existing permits—the development permit, the environmental permit for special use of water, and the building permit—into a single process, thereby reducing the time spent on procedures. Furthermore, exceptions are provided in the context of the directly applicable European Union Regulation on accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, ensuring that environmental impact assessments can be carried out more efficiently and, if necessary, via an expedited procedure.
The debate has highlighted conflicting views: while proponents emphasize the need to increase the share of renewable energy and adopt smart, faster procedural rules, other political parties argue that acceleration might lead to the underestimation of environmental and health risks and the compromising of local residents' interests. Different factions have stressed the importance of quality, supervision, and transparency, and how to ensure that these accelerations do not infringe upon the national energy market or the principles of environmental protection. The entire agenda item concluded with the draft law being put to the final vote and subsequently adopted.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 308 has been enacted into law. The final vote took place in the Riigikogu; 55 members of parliament voted in favor, 18 against, and 0 abstained. This means that Bill 308, the Act amending the Building Code and other acts (acceleration of the deployment of renewable energy), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was adopted as law.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Riigikogu member TTBOpGaQCWM; his role involved offering critical observations during the discussion, and he usually represented a faction whose decisions centered on procedural and process-related issues. The position remained categorized as “other” (if the left-right alignment could not be significantly better defined), meaning they were not firmly situated on the right or left political axis.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi opened today's agenda by stating that the first item was the third reading of Bill 308, the Act amending the Building Code and other acts (acceleration of the deployment of renewable energy), initiated by the Government of the Republic. He then opened the floor for debate, which is open to the parliamentary factions; Rain Epler is representing the EKRE faction.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler is criticizing both the corruption within the system and the substance of the draft legislation, arguing that while the stated objective is to accelerate renewable energy, the coordination document actually reveals the true goal is seizing the money collected as taxes. This, he says, is causing renewable energy development to stall, meaning that neither offshore wind farm development nor onshore projects are moving forward. He calls on members of parliament to carefully consider how they will cast their vote before the final ballot.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He expresses his heartfelt thanks and, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, submits a request that Mart Maastik will present.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik criticizes the government's energy policy as uncertain and panicked Brownian motion. He highlights the draft bill concerning the accelerated environmental impact assessment of offshore wind farms and the inadequacy of current noise standards. He cites the concerns of the coastal residents of Saaremaa as a prime example, and stresses that before any investments are made, real measurements must be conducted, and the supply of cheap electricity that minimizes environmental damage must be guaranteed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requested three additional minutes.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik notes that the beach is occasionally affected by low-frequency engine noise resonating from the shipping lane. He calls on the Riigikogu and the government to consider accelerating the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, asks why this acceleration only applies to offshore wind farms, and proposes that the current bill should not be supported.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanks Jaak Aab and confirms that they are representing the Social Democratic Party faction under the authority of their mandate.
AI Summary
This draft bill establishes the development right for an offshore wind farm, consolidates three existing permits into a single procedure, and accelerates the development of renewable energy so that by 2030, all electricity consumed in Estonia is produced from renewable sources, and the share of renewable energy consumption reaches 65%, including faster environmental impact assessment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Lauri Laats expresses his sincere thanks and represents the Estonian Centre Party Faction.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
We currently do not support accelerating the construction of offshore wind farms because we lack clear plans, infrastructure, and a unified direction. Meanwhile, the development of onshore wind farms and solar panels is economically more viable and requires a clear vision and cooperation with investors.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker concludes the debate and announces that Draft Bill 308 will be put to the final vote, requesting colleagues to take a position and cast their ballots.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu adopted Bill 308 as an Act: 55 votes in favor, 18 against, and 0 abstentions.