Rome, 27th October
The President of the CTME: “Energy is the axis around which to build socio-economic growth”. Representatives of the Municipal Associations of Germany, France and Romania were present with delegations.
“The small municipalities of the EU today are asking for answers to a situation of growing difficulty, but they are also able to confront and exchange innovative solutions for more sustainable and greener territories”. This was highlighted by Roberto Pella, president of the Confederation of Small European Municipalities (CTME) and 1st vice-president of Anci during the press conference at the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament to illustrate the seminar organized on the same day on the theme ‘Small Municipalities for energy efficiency’. “The meeting of the CTME in Rome – added Pella – is the vivid testimony of how Europe, from the highest institutional bodies to its smallest municipalities, is unitedly and actively committed to tackle the energy and inflation crisis.”
According to Lino Gentile, ANCI delegate for inner areas: “Much of the future of Italy and Europe passes through the development of small municipalities. We are increasingly convinced that our small communities, with their territories, have great potential to contribute to the economic development of our country and also of Europe, as long as public policies are able to provide effective and timely responses to their peculiarities. In particular, the energy issue, so dramatically present in our daily duties, can represent one of the potential axes around which to build paths of economic and social growth “.
Christophe Bouillon, President of the French Association of Small Towns (APVF), Mayor of Barentin (Normandy) and former French MP, said that the French small towns were severely hit by the current energy crisis. He added that local public services were put under strong pressure because of the high inflation rate. Mr Bouillon advocated for a transitional return to regulated tariffs before a reform of the European energy market. He also pleaded for additional measures to support the energetic transition locally. European small towns can be decisive actors to thrive from that crisis, because they have the agility to implement adaptative solutions”.
The honorary president of the DStGB, Roland Schäfer, emphasized the important role alternative energy sources play not only for the reduction of carbon emissions, but also for curbing rising energy prices. In the medium-term, Schäfer said, we will require more alternative energy sources. As an example, the construction process of wind turbines needs to be sped up. At the moment, it already takes one year to finish the required ornithological assessment. What is needed here is a clear regulation specifying that the construction of a wind turbine can only be blocked should it severely interfere with nature conservation. At the same time, we need to accustom our citizens to the prospect that in the future, we will be looking and wind turbines from our gardens and patios. While this may be unpleasant, it is still better than having to get by without energy. Schäfer concluded by saying that the municipalities will contribute their share to a successful energy transition.
Finally, Vladimir Petrut, Mayor of Cavnic from the AOR – Association of Municipalities of Romania: “The small municipalities of Romania, like those of all of Europe, have to cope with ever increasing energy bills. Despite the efforts made to optimize consumption through the thermal efficiency of buildings, the installation of photovoltaic panels or the reduction of the program, a winter with many challenges is expected. I am convinced that the support of central governments but also of the European Commission is necessary to guarantee favourable conditions to overcome the coming winter months”.
Press contacts
André ROBERT – 06 80 84 27 53 – arobert@apvf.asso.fr –
Gustave RICHARD – 06 50 83 85 30 – grichard@apvf.asso.fr