European Commissioner for Energy
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The European Commissioner for Energy is a member of the European Commission. The current Commissioner is Andris Piebalgs (ALDE).
The Commissioner holds responsibility for the European Union's energy policy as well as nuclear issues (Euratom). The Directorate-General for this portfolio is shared with the Commissioner for Transport as the Directorate-General for Energy and Transport
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[edit] Current Commissioner
During his hearing with the European Parliament, Piebalgs stressed the importance of the environment in energy policy and was cautious of nuclear power. He received backing strong backing from the Parliament. He outlined his priorities as[1];
- 1. Achieving a true internal market
- 2. Energy efficiency: everyone can make a difference
- 3. Increase the share of renewable energy
- 4. Increased investments in technology
- 5. Safety and security of nuclear power
- 6. Make it easier for Member States to help each other in energy crisis
- 7. Developing external energy policy relations
The European Union is an active supporter of the Kyoto Protocol, which it signed alongside its member-states. In March 2007 the Union committed itself to cut CO2 emissions by 20 percent by 2020.[2] There is also a desire to reduce dependency on Russian energy supplies following the disputes between Russia and Belarus and Ukraine. (See also: Russia-Belarus energy dispute, Russia-Ukraine gas dispute.) In April 2007 five southern European countries signed a deal to build an oil pipeline from the Black Sea to Italy which will help diversify energy sources.[3]
Piebalgs head of cabinet is Andris Ķesteris, his deputy head is Christopher Jones and his spokesperson is Ferran Tarradellas.
[edit] List of commissioners
- Wilhelm Haferkamp (of West Germany) - Rey Commission (1967-1970)
- Wilhelm Haferkamp (of West Germany) - Malfatti Commission (1970-1972)
- Wilhelm Haferkamp (of West Germany) - Mansholt Commission (1972-1973)
- Henri François Simonet (of Belgium) - Ortoli Commission (1973-1977)
- Guido Brunner (of West Germany) - Jenkins Commission (1977-1981)
- Étienne Davignon (of Belgium) - Thorn Commission (1981-1985)
- Nicolas Mosar (of Luxembourg) - Delors Commission I (1985-1989)
- Antonio Cardoso e Cunha - Delors Commission II (1989-1993)
- Marcelino Oreja (of Spain) - Delors Commission III (1993-1994)
- Abel Matutes (of Spain - Delors Commission III (1994-1995)
- Christos Papoutsis (of Greece) - Santer Commission (1995-1999)
- Christos Papoutsis (of Greece) - Marín Commission (1999)
- Loyola de Palacio - Prodi Commission (1999-2004)
- Andris Piebalgs (of Latvia) - Barroso Commission (2004-2009)
[edit] See also
- Directorate-General for Energy and Transport
- Foreign relations of the European Union
- Renewable energy in the European Union
- European Climate Change Programme
- European Energy Community
- Energy Charter Treaty
[edit] External links
- Commissioners website
- EU Energy website
- Andris Piebalgs interview on eGov monitor
- Interview with Andris Piebalgs on Euractiv
- Andris Piebalgs: The EU’s energy challenges
