Agenda Profile: Rain Epler
First reading of the Bill on the Amendment of the Earth Crust Act, the Land Cadastre Act, and the State Assets Act (Development of renewable energy production in an area with a mining permit) (698 SE)
2025-10-15
The 15th Riigikogu, VI Session, Plenary Sitting
Political Position
The political position is sharply critical of the government's renewable energy policy, which they label as "ad-hoc energy generation" and "unreasonable." The primary focus is on national energy security and independence, opposing the locking down of domestic energy resources (oil shale, peat) for 50 years in the name of climate targets. This stance is value-based, emphasizing long-term stability over short-term political ideology.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise regarding the stability of energy systems (referencing ENTSO-E analysis and the Spanish example), geological reserves (active stock/reserves), and the specifics of legislation. Technical terminology is employed, along with references to specific legal provisions (e.g., § 91 of the KKTSe) and the precise wording of the draft bill. This expertise is used to substantiate the risks associated with developing intermittent electricity, specifically concerning voltage fluctuations and blackouts in the power grid.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is combative, critical, and direct, utilizing logical arguments concerning energy security and system instability. The speaker addresses the minister directly and personally ("Andres as a banker," "take him back"), while simultaneously employing external data (the Spanish power outage, ENTSO-E) to substantiate their position. The tone is predominantly accusatory and cautionary, emphasizing that current decisions will affect future generations.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in the legislative process, participating in committee discussions and submitting amendments. Mention was also made of a recent recommendation given to the Prime Minister to read the ENTSO-E analysis, which points to active communication with heads of government. A motion to suspend proceedings is permitted during the second reading.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is Minister Andres Sutt and the government’s climate and energy policy, which is being criticized for its ideological and short-sighted nature. The criticism is sharp and highly political, accusing the government of using taxpayer money for subsidies and telling untruths about the independence of Eesti Energia. The opposition is uncompromising, demanding the withdrawal of the draft bill.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Willingness to cooperate is low, as the content of the draft bill is completely rejected and its withdrawal is demanded. Although a common position with the minister regarding import dependence is mentioned, this is the only point of overlap. One speaker offers the minister a conditional amendment to allow for industrial facilities in order to develop the economy more broadly.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on Estonia's national energy security and economy, as well as Europe's political ideology and geopolitical situation. Specific regional interests are tied to the utilization of energy mineral resources (oil shale, peat), the restriction of whose mining is considered detrimental.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic perspective opposes government subsidies, arguing that they render the energy system expensive and unstable while benefiting only investors. They advocate for a more robust development of the Estonian economy, one that encompasses a wider range of industrial facilities, rather than focusing solely on the development of intermittent power sources. It is implied that political ideology is rendering the utilization of traditional mineral resources unprofitable.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on opposing Bill 698 SE (the Act Amending the Earth's Crust Act), which concerns the establishment of renewable energy facilities in areas that hold mining permits. The speaker is a strong opponent of the bill, promising to introduce a motion to discontinue it during the second reading. Furthermore, an amendment was submitted to permit the construction of industrial facilities, rather than renewable energy projects, in areas where reserves have been exhausted.
3 Speeches Analyzed