Agenda Profile: Rain Epler
Second reading of the draft law amending the Electricity Market Act (556 SE)
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
Strong opposition to the draft amendment of the Electricity Market Act (556 SE), which would create potential additional obligations for Elering and hidden taxes for consumers. The political position is strongly directed against promoting intermittent generation (solar and wind energy), viewing it as a source of system instability and increased costs. It favors stable and controllable energy sources and emphasizes the necessity of maintaining economic competitiveness through affordable electricity input. The position is primarily policy- and fact-based, but also incorporates a strong ideological framework.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Demonstrates deep technical and economic expertise in the energy sector, particularly concerning system stability and market economics. Utilizes specific terminology such as inertia, frequency reserve, balance responsible party (BRP), capital expenditure (CapEx), and quota fees/allowance costs. References detailed calculations (e.g., price comparison of gas and oil shale) and systemic examples (Elering's forecasting capability, the Estonian Cell outage). Focuses on the importance of spinning reserve/rotating mass and frequency maintenance.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is very combative, critical, and direct, using strong language ("fluff," "waffling") to discredit opponents' arguments. It appeals primarily to logic, physics, and economic calculations, contrasting these with the opponents' "fantasy projects" and "trendy narratives." It employs irony and sharp personal attacks, accusing opponents of populism and the willful disregard of facts (e.g., the examples of Kadastik and Klaassen).
11 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
An active participant in the Riigikogu chamber debate, repeatedly posing questions and responding to fellow colleagues. He/She referenced participation in the Environment Committee meeting and listened to a radio interview with a representative of Elering. The address concluded with a specific legislative proposal to terminate the proceedings of the draft bill.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Reform Party (especially Kadastik and Klaassen, who are accused of voting against expert knowledge) and the Social Democrats (Anti Allas, who is accused of populism and harming the poorer population). Criticism is aimed both at policy (energy risks, taxes) and ideology, comparing the development of intermittent production to the rhetoric of neo-communists. Isamaa is also criticized for its uncertain position regarding renewable energy goals.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The interaction is largely confrontational and didactic, expressing profound distrust regarding the opposing side’s arguments and motives. There is no willingness to cooperate; instead, it offers opponents (Mario) the chance to come and privately learn the calculations so they can finally understand the issue.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on Estonian national systems (Elering) and major local consumers (Estonian Cell), emphasizing the competitiveness of Estonian enterprises. It makes extensive use of international parallels and negative examples (Germany, Denmark, Spain, California) to illustrate the impact of intermittent production.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports strict fiscal transparency and opposes imposing hidden costs (a hidden tax disguised as a network fee) on consumers. It emphasizes that all input costs, including the cost of capital, must be reflected in the consumer price to ensure fair competition and prevent market distortion through subsidies. It considers affordable electricity input a key factor in improving the competitiveness of Estonian economic sectors.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The subject addresses social issues only when criticizing the actions of opposition parties, accusing them of harming rural residents and families (citing the car tax and the removal of the national health insurance fund). It also employs a broader philosophical framework, connecting the failure of Western European energy policy to wider social phenomena, such as the increase in entropy and the "multiplicity of genders."
11 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative priority is opposing the draft legislation amending the Electricity Market Act (556 SE). He is a strong opponent of the bill and initiated the proposal to discontinue the proceedings during the second reading. The objective is to prevent imposing new potential future obligations on Elering, the magnitude of which cannot be estimated.
11 Speeches Analyzed