Agenda Profile: Rain Epler
Debate on the nationally significant issue "The Drawbacks of Wind Power," initiated by the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party.
2025-04-24
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The speaker’s political focus is strengthening Estonia’s energy sector and economy through cheap and dispatchable electricity generation. He is vehemently opposed to the government’s current renewable energy strategy (wind and solar), deeming it inefficient and overly expensive, and forcefully advocates for the continued use of oil shale during the transition period and the construction of a nuclear power plant as a long-term solution. He criticizes the government’s decisions as "wrong decisions" and the actions of "kilplased" (the legendary fools), prioritizing political maneuvering over economic performance.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound technical expertise in the energy sector, making extensive use of specific data and statistics (e.g., annual consumption of 8 TWh, peak consumption of 1.6 GW, and the installed capacities and capacity factors of wind and solar farms at 22.6% and 14.6%). He/She provides detailed comparisons regarding the cost and CO2 emissions of various fuels (oil shale vs. gas) and generation methods (wind, solar, nuclear), citing Elering reports and international examples.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's style is argumentative, critical, and at times sarcastic, employing direct attacks against opponents' narratives (e.g., "sleight of numbers" and "mumbo jumbo"). He relies heavily on logical and factual arguments to expose the government's alleged incompetence and wastefulness. The tone is concerned about the future of the country, but simultaneously confident regarding his solutions (oil shale and nuclear energy).
9 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in energy-themed debates both in the Riigikogu (Parliament) and the media, referencing a recent television appearance and an earlier debate with their colleague, Kadastik. Their work focuses on continuous and detailed criticism of the government's energy policy, often presenting alternative calculations and solutions. They also mention having submitted a specific draft resolution concerning the CO2 quota issue.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker’s main opponents are the governing coalition (especially the Reform Party) and its politicians (Kaja Kallas, Kristen Michal, Yoko Alender, Mario Kadastik). The criticism is primarily policy-based (poor investments, high costs) and ethical in nature, accusing the government of serving lobbyists and narrow business interests ("skimming the cream"). He/She also criticizes the firing of officials and the ignoring of facts ("don't get caught up in fact magic").
9 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is fundamentally open to cooperation if it serves the country's interests, but is skeptical about the coalition's willingness. He expressed hope that the coalition would adopt the opposition's reasonable proposals (e.g., the abolition of the mandatory purchase of CO2 quotas) a week later under its own name. He emphasizes that the Riigikogu chamber should ensure equal conditions for businesses, not direct the flow of money into the pockets of a narrow circle.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker’s focus is heavily directed toward Estonia's national energy security and economic competitiveness. Regionally, he emphasizes the importance of Ida-Virumaa in maintaining the oil shale energy sector and supporting the local population there. Internationally, he uses negative examples from Germany, Denmark, and the USA (California) regarding the high costs and inefficiency of renewable energy.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker's position is that affordable and reliable energy is the bedrock of a strong economy and a prosperous welfare state. He criticizes government plans that will result in the use of more expensive imported energy fuel (gas) and the squandering of billions (which he describes as "throwing money to the wind"). While he supports the right of entrepreneurs to earn profits, he is opposed to a framework that allows a small, select group to skim the cream off the top at the public sector's expense.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Addressing social issues is tied directly to the consequences of energy policy, such as energy poverty (citing California) and health risks (respiratory diseases in Ida-Virumaa). He criticizes the government's hypocrisy, noting that they are prepared to pay compensation for health risks associated with wind farms, but they fail to offer a similar solution when it comes to oil shale. He further accuses the Reform Party of following the socialists' example by deliberately keeping people dependent so that they can be manipulated.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The speaker's main legislative priority is ensuring national energy security through dispatchable capacities (oil shale and nuclear energy). He has submitted a draft resolution calling on the government to initiate negotiations with the European Commission regarding the abolition of the obligation for Estonian energy producers to purchase CO2 quotas due to the geopolitical situation. He is a strong opponent of the current renewable energy targets.
9 Speeches Analyzed