By Months: Yoko Alender

The legislative focus in 2024 is on implementing the Renewable Energy Act, adopted by the Riigikogu, and maximizing its impact. The objective is to ensure that planning procedures utilize the argument of overriding public interest, as granted by the Act, to accelerate the development of renewable energy.

The legislative focus is currently on the Ministry of Climate's draft bill, which addresses the utilization of mineral resources and the rehabilitation of peat mining sites. The priority is ensuring that the restoration requirements are adequate and enabling multi-purpose land use in the mining areas. The speaker is the bill's rapporteur, who is moving it forward consensually toward the conclusion of the first reading.

The legislative focus is on a draft bill regulating the recycling of batteries and accumulators, the aim of which is to streamline the system, eliminate duplication, and ensure producer responsibility. The speaker is a proponent of the bill and, acting as the representative of the lead committee, serves as the procedural leader who directed the draft legislation to the plenary session agenda for its first reading.

The speaker’s main legislative priorities include streamlining environmental legislation (specifically, clarifying the noise target value), reducing bureaucracy (in the area of radiation protection), and supporting waste reform aimed at increasing the recycling rate. He/She is actively involved both in supporting favorable bills and advocating for the rejection of opposing legislation.

The legislative focus centers on energy policy (the draft bill concerning keeping oil shale power plants in reserve and the development of storage capacities) and environmental law (Natura impact assessments and restrictions on logging in forest habitats). The speaker is a strong proponent of these drafts, underscoring their importance for energy security and establishing legal clarity for landowners. They also mention supporting a minor legislative amendment intended to fix an error that had previously remained in the law.

The legislative focus is on supporting the bill concerning the energy reserve and covering the costs associated with desynchronization. The speaker is a strong supporter of this draft act, emphasizing that it is vital for ensuring the operational readiness of the oil shale power plants and securing energy security.