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In the future, solar panels will have to be installed on large roofs and facades. That is what Parliament wants.
The National Council decided on Monday, just like the Council of States, at the request of a minority, to adjust the energy envelope decree. The majority of the Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (Urek-N) had pushed for the general solar obligation for roofs and facades and also wanted major renovations to be covered by the scheme, but was defeated.
With 98 votes against 95, the National Council on Monday followed a minority around Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher (FDP/SG) and went less far than during the first consultation. Accordingly, the solar obligation applies to roofs or facades of new buildings with an eligible area of at least 300 square meters. The cantons can issue additional regulations for smaller areas.
The National Council withdraws
The National Council had previously voted for a general solar energy requirement for suitable areas in new buildings and major renovations. Energy Ministers Albert Rösti and Vincenz-Stauffacher warned about this and insisted that the proposal would remain within the reach of a majority. The municipality has rejected a request to completely dispense with the sun requirement.
However, the municipalities still do not agree on the solar requirement for parking spaces. Unlike the Council of States, the National Council wants to have outdoor parking spaces covered with solar panels, but only above a certain size.
Some bottlenecks still remain
He stuck to this decision by 108 votes to 82. However, he now set the minimum size higher than before. However, Michael Graber (SVP/US) warned against interference with private property. Cars can be parked in any accessible area and an area can be used as a parking lot, without any construction.
There is also no agreement yet on residual water regulations. The National Council only wants to allow less residual water from hydroelectric power stations if there is a risk of a power shortage. For example, the Federal Council temporarily addressed matters last winter in view of the impending electricity shortage.
The Council of States, on the other hand, wanted the Federal Council to be able to oblige hydroelectric power plant operators to temporarily increase their electricity production in order to meet production and import targets and in the event of an impending shortage. According to the current Water Protection Act, only the minimum residual water quantities would then apply.
A minority around Nicolò Paganini (Centre/SG) would have liked to keep it the same, but lost by 67 votes to 122. A power shortage must be prevented before it happens, Paganini said.
Don’t rule out protected areas from the start
Both municipalities also do not want to rule out new hydroelectric power stations in advance if the resulting residual water route would run through a protected area of national importance.
A red-green minority around Delphine Klopfenstein Broggini (Greens/GE) fought against it in vain. Biotopes of national importance are essential for the conservation of biodiversity in Switzerland. They should be fully protected.
Federal Councilor Rösti disagreed: without this provision, projects would not even be able to be considered. Viewing does not mean “already approved”. It must be possible to weigh up interests and not rule out a project in advance.
The federal law on a safe electricity supply with renewable energies – called the Energy Shell Decree – is a core activity in the implementation of the energy transition.
For Energy Minister Albert Rösti, the top priority is to eliminate the risk of a shortage as quickly as possible. The energy shield decree should therefore be adopted by the municipalities this autumn, if possible. The proposal now goes back to the Council of States. (SDA)
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
