Draft law amending the Energy Sector Organisation Act, the Electricity Market Act, and the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act (359 SE) – third reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-09-25 17:22
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 18m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The main topic is: the third reading of the draft law amending the Energy Management Act, the Electricity Market Act, and the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic. Discussions were open to factions, and the presiding officer led the debate where representatives presented various viewpoints, raising both questions of accelerating the green transition and concerns regarding the stability of the economic environment. Representing the EKRE faction, Rain Epler addressed the assembly with strong criticism of energy charges and renewable energy subsidies, emphasizing the need to utilize stable and economically sustainable methods of electricity generation, including the use of nuclear power and oil shale. In other factions, the need for transparency regarding the costs and price levels of the green transition and the assurance of energy security were noted, and discussions were held on how to reduce excessive burdens on consumers and businesses. Finally, the agenda item was put to a final vote, and the draft law was adopted: 53 in favor, 22 against, 0 abstentions. This reflects a balanced discussion of the government's initiatives and the opposition's criticism, ultimately providing a fair parliamentary voting result to achieve the set goals.
Decisions Made 1
The final vote on draft 359 was taken: 53 in favor, 22 against, and 0 abstentions.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Rain Epler from the EKRE faction—he gave several speeches and, during the speaking time, represented a right-wing position on energy policy, emphasizing the need to pay attention to economically stable production methods and to reduce excessive subsidization of energy prices towards renewable energy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced the agenda, opened the debate on the third reading of Bill 359—the Act amending the Organisation of Energy Sector Act, the Electricity Market Act, and the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act—and invited Rain Epler of the EKRE faction to take the floor.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler argues that subsidizing wind and solar energy harms the economy, necessitating the rapid construction of a nuclear power plant and the continued use of oil shale until then, urging people to vote against the bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He/She thanks the assembly and requests that Lauri Laats speak on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Faction.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Center Party faction does not support this bill. This is because the rapid green transition must be used to build up Estonian production capacities and reduce our reliance on Chinese materials, ensuring that the economy and the lives of the people do not suffer.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the previous speaker and gave the floor to Urmas Reinsalu, speaking on behalf of the Isamaa faction, who requested an additional eight minutes of speaking time.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that Isamaa does not support the current draft bill because the government's energy policy lacks a comprehensive approach and sufficient analysis. He added that the bill would impose an additional burden of approximately 100 million euros on consumers and the economy, which is why a substantive energy policy and adequate answers are required before such decisions can be made.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi concluded the negotiations, announced the submission of Bill 359 for the final vote, and called upon his colleagues to take a position and vote on the amendments to the Government-initiated Energy Sector Organisation Act, the Electricity Market Act, and the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Bill 359 was passed into law: 53 in favor, 22 against, and there were no abstentions.