Draft law amending the Liquid Fuels Act (622 SE) - First Reading
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Date: 2025-05-21 21:39
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 67
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 58m
AI Summaries: 67/67 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
First reading of the presentation: First reading of draft law 622, amending the Liquid Fuel Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic. The purpose of the draft is to establish oversight and responsibility related to the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels and to specify which authorities (the Transport Authority and the Environmental Agency) will implement these mechanisms. The draft follows the rules and structures of the European Union and takes steps to increase the preparedness of Estonian companies for market changes, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and ensuring a gradual wider adoption of sustainable aviation fuel. It is important to emphasize that the transition will be gradual and take into account the specific characteristics of the sector and market conditions; from this year, a 2% share of sustainable fuel will be in effect, and a flexible accounting method will be used for its implementation.
Decisions Made 1
Completion of the first reading: Regarding draft law 622, amending the liquid fuel law, initiated by the Government of the Republic, Isamaa and EKRE submitted an amendment proposal to reject the draft; their proposal did not receive support. Voting result: 13 in favor, 45 against; no abstentions. Therefore, the first reading is completed. Next, agreements on amendment proposal deadlines will take place on May 28th at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
Most active speaker: Urmas Reinsalu. Position: right-wing (EKRE) member of the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu proceeds, and today’s agenda item is the first reading of Draft Bill 622 on amendments to the Liquid Fuel Act, which will be introduced by the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The government-initiated amendment to the Liquid Fuels Act establishes the supervision and responsibility for the introduction of sustainable aviation fuels, specifies the competent authorities (the Transport Administration and the Environmental Board), and ensures a gradual transition to European Union requirements, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels, maintaining competition, and avoiding the creation of additional burdens for the final consumer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the esteemed Minister, notes that there are also questions, and asks Mart Maastik to present those questions.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik claims that although the minister assured the public that the fuel blending requirement would not impact consumers, the data indicates that the price of sustainable aviation fuel is approximately 3.5 times higher. Furthermore, the current 2% blending mandate could escalate to around 70% by 2050, which would consequently cause ticket prices to at least double.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt stated that a 2% share of biofuel would not have a significant effect on the price of airline tickets, and that price forecasts for 2050 are speculative because the factors influencing those prices are much broader, and the development of sustainable aviation fuels is ongoing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits asked whether, according to the explanatory memorandum, the impacts are truly minimal, and whether the 2% requirement in force until 2030, coupled with the potential for a fivefold increase in fuel prices, will not have a significant effect, or if the truly substantial price hike only begins after 2030.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The proportion of biofuel in jet fuel will remain around 2% until 2030, after which it is set to increase. However, the effect of this 2% share on airfare prices is negligible. Ticket prices are actually much more heavily influenced by factors such as passenger volume and the timing of the purchase.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The content of the talk is merely to invite Henn Põlluaas to speak.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas claims that the green transition will lead to extra costs being added to flight tickets, and that maintenance and fuel expenses will rise due to the use of ultra-efficient engines. Furthermore, he suggests that after 2030, flying could become nearly impossible given the required share of sustainable fuel.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt stated that flight options will remain, and Tallinn Airport's performance indicators are strong. The draft legislation addresses only 2% sustainable aviation fuel, and according to him, its development should not be linked to aircraft efficiency, because the more efficient an aircraft is while meeting safety requirements, the better it is for everyone, including passengers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar invites Rene Kokk to speak.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk said that fluctuations in fuel prices affect the cost of airline tickets, and the impact depends on a person's income—for those with high salaries, it might seem insignificant, but for low-salary earners, it would be noticeable. He asked for a real-world example illustrating how much the share of biofuel would influence the ticket price, using Tallinn–Stockholm passengers as the reference point.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt said that the 2% share of biofuel will not significantly affect the price of flight tickets, and the ticket price is determined by the balance between market demand and supply, not by ministry or hypothetical calculations.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the regulation concerning aviation should have been presented to the Minister of Infrastructure because things are a mess, and that the directly applicable regulation enters into force in 2024, with certain articles taking effect from the beginning of 2025.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar calls upon Urmas Reinsalu.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt confirms that this is the case.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu questions why a specific element needs to be introduced into the Estonian legal framework in addition to an already existing regulation. He discusses the ETS2 initiative at the European Union level and the global implications of the International Civil Aviation Organization regarding climate neutrality by 2050, and requests Estonia's official national position on sustainable aviation fuel.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers his thanks and submits a request to the Minister.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
This draft bill specifies the competent authorities for each country, and in our case, those are the Transport Administration and the Environmental Board.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme is criticizing the impact of the requirement for further biofuel additives on both the automotive and aviation sectors. She emphasizes that the ministry’s job is to draft legislation designed for the public, rather than merely implementing EU directives.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt stated that the prices of airline tickets are determined by each airline individually, and their overall impact is small. He added that biofuels, which constitute up to 2% of aviation fuel, are safe because safety is paramount in aviation, and these standards are standardized and controlled by both European and global aviation authorities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman asks Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu claims that Lufthansa has introduced a surcharge of up to 72 euros on European flights due to the ReFuelEU Aviation Act and the ITS system, and asks who is lying—the airlines or the legislators—stressing that the actual costs are reflected in ticket prices.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The minister said that adding the 2% biofuel requirement will not significantly affect the ticket price, according to the European Commission's assessment, because price changes result from various fees and how airlines present their costs, and 72 euros should not be considered the sole influencing factor.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman said we would proceed and invited Helle-Moonika Helme to speak next.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme warns that although the current share of biofuels in aviation is only 2%, and the impact is imperceptible, and they are significantly more expensive, the mandated share is set to reach 6% by 2030 and up to 70% by 2050. However, aviation could already be jeopardized by using just 20–30% biofuel, and there are no clear answers regarding the cultivation of palm oils and land use. This situation could limit people's ability to fly by 2035 and suggests the introduction of ideological motives into aviation fuel.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He urged the audience to take action, saying that their time was now.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He claims that aviation companies would have already done this themselves, and you are forcing these measures upon them—these are purely ideological issues.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers thanks and makes a polite request to Mr. Minister.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt stated that safety will not be compromised when using the biofuel component, and prices will change by 2030 and beyond, because there is no fixed price in a market economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman addresses Henn Põlluaas and asks him to come forward.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas pointed out that aviation fuel prices are rising, and he asked whether the regulation, which is intended to become law, would also affect small aircraft that fly using regular gasoline or diesel fuel, fearing that it might be harmful to their engines.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
This regulation does not apply to recreational flights, training flights, or aircraft operators conducting state flights.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invites Evelin Poolamets to the stage.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets asks during the session how many impact analyses have been conducted on this matter, who in Estonia offers such a product, whether it affects the price of biofuel on the world market, and what the consequences of the draft legislation will be.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Sutt stated that Estonia lacks producers of aviation biofuel, and only two companies offer it in Tallinn, meaning Estonia does not affect world market prices.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon Mart Maastik to speak.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik discusses the impact of the 2% taxation on airline tickets (referencing the 72-euro surcharge applied by Lufthansa), highlights the safety risks associated with blending biofuels, and finally asks what happens if it is not adopted—will we be fined, or what will actually occur?
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt said that the fuel used in lawnmowers has not been certified by either the European or international aviation safety agency, and that the fuel is completely safe. He added that although the regulation is directly applicable, we simply need to designate competent authorities to assist companies; otherwise, we would be creating problems for them.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks for Rene Kokk to be called.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk argues that the government is interfering too much in the market economy, demanding to see how the proposed changes will affect ticket prices and electricity costs, and criticizes the 70% biofuel mandate set for 2050 as blatant state intervention in the market.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The world is shifting towards sustainable aviation fuels: The United Kingdom is establishing sustainable aviation fuel production plants and introducing mandates for their use starting in 2025. China, Japan, and Korea are initially focusing on domestic production, major air carriers are running pilot projects, and the USA is aiming to meet its aviation fuel needs entirely through sustainable alternatives by 2050.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Mario Kadastik to the stage.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mario Kadastik stated that Urmas Reinsalu was trying to feed nonsense to Andres and the Estonian people, citing the price of Lufthansa flights and traveling first class on intercontinental routes. But he noted that the absolute maximum for a first-class ticket is 72 euros, and that you shouldn't talk such foolishness about things.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
He noted that it wasn't a question, but rather the enlightenment of the people.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman asks Evelin Poolamets to pose her question.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She asks who conducts this inspection in Estonia and where the fines are paid.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt said that the inspection will be carried out through the Transport Administration and the Environmental Board. It is hoped that no fines will be issued and that the rules will be complied with, and if they are issued nonetheless, there is a separate set of regulations for determining them.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Peeter Ernits to the stage.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits asks why the share of sustainable fuel in air travel is 2% in 2025 but already 70% in 2050, whether the increase is steady or accelerating, and what the forecasts are if only the change in the price of sustainable fuel on the airfare is taken into account.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt confirmed that the timeline established for the proportion of sustainable aviation fuel has been agreed upon: 20% by 2035, 34% by 2040, 42% by 2045, and 70% by 2050.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanked the Minister, stated that there were no further questions, and requested that the debate held in the Riigikogu Economic Affairs Committee be presented by Riigikogu member Urve Tiidus.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Economic Affairs Committee discussed amendments to the Liquid Fuel Act aimed at increasing the share of sustainable aviation fuels (starting at 2%, rising to approximately 70% by 2050). They also addressed safety, the impact on ticket prices and competition, and decided to move the draft bill to the plenary agenda, conclude the first reading, and commission an impact assessment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked the rapporteur and announced the opening of the debate, inviting colleague Mart Maastik to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak on behalf of the Isamaa faction.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik claims that the European Union's green transition is a self-destructive program that increases the production costs and prices of aviation fuel and biofuels, harms competitiveness, and is largely just a show of green rhetoric.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requested three additional minutes.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik called on Estonia to take a bold stance, stating that competitiveness is being killed by stupid, directly applicable regulations, and that we must jump off the green transition train and make sensible decisions. Furthermore, Isamaa does not support this draft bill and is proposing its rejection.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the EKRE faction, Rene Kokk is invited to the Riigikogu podium to speak.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that three minutes of extra time would be given.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk argued that biofuel obligations and additional costs at airports make flight tickets more expensive and harm the competitiveness of Estonia's periphery, and called for the rejection of the bill and allowing market-based and reasonable development.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Reform Party Faction, colleague Mario Kadastik has requested the floor, and we ask that he be allowed to deliver his address from the Riigikogu podium.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mario Kadastik accused Urmas Reinsalu of constant lying and systematic misrepresentations regarding the environmental tax on flight tickets, emphasizing that the actual price increase for a standard ticket is only about 1–2 euros, and that the figure of 72 euros does not reflect the overall proportion of the ticket price. He also called for a fact-check.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the debate and proposed rejecting the first reading of Bill 622, as two identical proposals—those from the EKRE and Isamaa factions—have been received, and asked the members to state their position and vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of Draft Bill 622: 13 members voted in favor of the proposal, 45 against, there were no abstentions, and the proposal failed to gain support; the deadline for submitting amendments is May 28th at 5:15 PM.