The ECSC Consultative Committee's views on the Green Paper for a European Union energy policy The ECSC Consultative Committee has published a Resolution dealing with issues raised in the Commission's Green Paper for a European Union energy policy. The Committee's Resolution includes the following points: - Energy diversification should be one of the major objectives o... The ECSC Consultative Committee has published a Resolution dealing with issues raised in the Commission's Green Paper for a European Union energy policy. The Committee's Resolution includes the following points: - Energy diversification should be one of the major objectives of energy policy, with due recognition being given to the role of each type of energy, including renewable energy. For this purpose, Community guidelines are needed to promote convergence of the Member States' energy policies and to encourage a balanced strategy in the long-term; - More intensive research is needed on the green and efficient use of coal and improved working conditions, security and productivity; - In the context of the environment, any steps which discriminate against a particular type of energy should be discouraged, in particular any taxes which might distort competition without any genuine impact on the environment, given that rational energy management must be the priority; - The Commission needs to sustain international cooperation through dialogue, technology transfer and promotion of European undertakings in producer countries, given the Community's increasing energy dependency; - The major impact of solid fuel production in certain European regions necessitates due attention to the social aspect in any energy policy measures.
