Heinz Lehmann, Member of the Saxony Landtag, today led a first disucssion on a Commission proposal to ensure that energy infrastructures throughout Europe's regions and cities are fit for the demands of the 21st century. "We must find intelligent solutions for cross-border energy supplies with the lowest increase in cost for citizens" he argued before underlining the importance of involving citizens and local and regional authorities in the planning stage. 

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) has been proposed to replace the existing financial regulation. Ivan Zagar, Mayor of Slovenska Bistrica, therefore took the floor in his role as rapporteur on the new facility. In his view there are still a large number of questions that need to be answered before the CEF can effectively support such energy projects. In particular, he would like to know how the projects will be selected for financing by CEF and what role local and regional authorities will play in this decision.

There was a general consensus at the end of the debate that energy infrastructure needs to take account of future needs and demands. "If we want Europe to be energy independent by 2025, we need to take a different approach from today's consumption" EPP member Erwin Mohr expressed.

The Regulation concerning guidelines for the implementation of European energy infrastructure priorities is expected to come into effect on 1 January 2013. This first discussion was in preparation for an upcoming opinion, drafted by Heinz Lehmann, and which will be further discussed before being adopted in Plenary in July 2012.