COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 17 December 1974 on a Community action programme on the rational utilization of energy

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having noted that, in its communication to the Council entitled "Rational Utilization of Energy", the Commission has drawn up a Community action programme in this field;

Whereas, in its resolution of 17 September 1974, the Council recorded its agreement to the objective of "reducing the rate of growth of internal consumption by measures for using energy rationally and economically without jeopardizing social and economic growth objectives";

Having regard to the Council resolution of 17 December 1974 on the objectives of the Community energy policy;

Having regard to the new situation prevailing on the world energy market and, in particular, the rise in the prices of energy resources;

Whereas more rational utilization of energy is intended to improve energy performance by reducing losses and gradually eliminating non-essential consumption;

Whereas such action could contribute towards reducing the growth of the Community's energy demand without, however, jeopardizing economic and social growth objectives;

Whereas it is necessary for the Member States and the Commission to exchange information on the experience acquired and the measures planned at national and Community levels concerning the rational utilization of energy in order to ensure that they are coordinated and, as far as is necessary, harmonized;

Whereas the Commission forwarded to the Council on 5 August 1974 a communication entitled "Energy for Europe : Research and Development'; 1. Adopts the objective of reducing the medium-to-long-term growth rate of energy consumption for the Community as a whole in order to achieve, by 1985, a level of consumption which is 15 % lower than the figure anticipated for that date in the Commission's initial estimates drawn up in January 1973, while bearing in mind that this figure could differ according to the particular situation of each Member State;

2. Reserves the right to fix special objectives for shorter-term energy savings in the light of circumstances and acting on a proposal from the Commission;

3. Takes note of the measures defined in the aforementioned action programme for attaining the objective referred to in paragraph 1 above;

4. Takes note of the procedure proposed for implementing this programme;

5. Invites the Commission to report back to it, at regular intervals, on both the situation in the Member States and progress towards the Community objective;

6. Takes note of the Commission's intention of bringing together a "Steering and Coordinating Committee for the Rational Utilization of Energy" composed of national experts of the Member States. The members of this Committee will exchange information and hold consultations on the experience acquired concerning the rational utilization of energy and on the broad outlines of the measures proposed in this field;

7. Notes that the Commission will submit appropriate proposals to the Council.