Exam Focus – Energy: Kogler Announces “Accelerator Package”.

The two-day retreat in Lower Austria will provide advice on how to achieve energy security “through the energy transition, through sustainability,” and “so that we can become more independent at top speed – especially from Russian oil and gas,” Kogler explained in the APA -interview. Preparations must be made for the coming winter. The aim is to accelerate energy transition projects.

“The goal is that we make progress there”
Recently, the Greens had complained that the ÖVP was slamming the brakes with the EIA amendment – which is intended to allow faster expansion of renewables. The amendment’s resolution in Parliament was actually announced for last autumn. At the exam, the government could step on the accelerator again: “Whether and to what extent this can be presented to the point and comma is still an open point,” said Kogler, but “the goal is that we make progress there.” .

However, the Vice-Chancellor also stressed that the EIA amendment (EIA stands for Environmental Impact Assessment, note) should be part of a package, as there are several projects in this area that require legislation or regulation. “We will accelerate not only projects subject to EIA, but also others – so, if you will, a renewable energy acceleration law and package par excellence.”

The labor market and the acute labor shortage should also be a subject in Mauerbach, ie a work program for the next one or two years. The ÖVP in particular has been advocating incentives for working longer for some time. “Actually, it should also be about how we can create incentives here when you transition to retirement, or if you’re already retired,” says Kogler. However, he was not sure whether the model mentioned by the IV was the right one, so he limited himself. The instrument is still open, “tinkering” is going on here.

Climate protection law more than 700 days late
On the occasion of the retreat, the coalition was reminded of outstanding projects from various quarters, including the climate protection law that has been missing for more than 700 days. There are many laws that are “part of the climate protection laws in the umbrella term,” Kogler replied. The Renewables Expansion Act is already taking effect, with the Vice-Chancellor referring to a “tenfold increase in photovoltaic cell expansion”.

‘SPÖ is reliably on the wrong side’
He also mentioned the Renewable Heat Act and the Energy Efficiency Act – although you still need a two-thirds majority in the National Council. He assumes that the Social Democrats “will ultimately play their part here”, although Kogler expressed the impression, with few exceptions, that the Social Democrats are “reliably on the wrong side – namely against environmental and climate protection “.

The climate protection law itself will “have a chance if everyone is willing to compromise, and that will also affect those in the ÖVP who still clung to the old way of thinking here,” Kogler said. The Greens are pushing for some level of involvement, but what happens if climate targets are not met is still unclear. Whether and to what extent there will actually be consequences in the climate protection law itself or whether there will only be references to other laws is “still an open point”, Kogler indicated that he was willing to compromise.

Criticism of acts of sabotage on vehicles
With the current climate protests – from Monday, for example, the last generation of adhesive wants to block the streets in Vienna for a week – the Green leader cannot do much. The motives were “serious and important,” he admitted, but the forms of action had to be judged “on a case-by-case basis.” “So what I don’t think about much is attacking artwork,” Kogler said. What Kogler “does not do at all” is sabotage actions on vehicles, as he emphasized in view of the corresponding reports from the Viennese police.