Breaking: Deputies Reject Grémillet Bill, Threat to France’s Energy Transition
In a significant development today, Tuesday, June 24th, the French National Assembly voted against the Grémillet bill, which sought to define the country’s energy future for the next decade. The bill failed with a massive margin of 377 votes against and 142 votes for, signaling a critical setback for renewable energy supporters and causing alarm within the energy sector.
Renewable Energy Threatened
Last week, deputies caused an uproar when they adopted a moratorium on new wind and photovoltaic projects. The amendment, championed by the Republicans and supported by the National Rally, gained traction due to the absence of the majority and left-wing deputies. Minister of Industry and Energy Marc Ferracci denounced the vote as “devastating,” and the bill’s rapporteur, Antoine Armand (Renaissance), referred to it as an “economic disaster.” The renewable sector, composed of major players like EDF, TotalEnergies, and Engie, called for desperation in an open letter to the deputies.
The Resurgence of Nuclear Energy
Additionally, deputies voted in favor of reopening the Fessenheim nuclear power plant, which was closed in 2020 for dismantling. The text also aimed to expand nuclear capacity to 27 gigawatts by 2050, exceeding the government’s Multi-Year Energy Programming (PPE) targets. This decision was modeled by the extreme right’s goal to hinder renewable energy transition and jeopardize France’s energy sovereignty.
“By rejecting this energy programming law, the National Assembly sends an extremely clear signal to the extreme right and its desire to scuttle renewable energies,” reacted Sandra Linear from ACT for the Environment. The organization warns of the potential risk to the thousands of jobs in the renewable energy sector.
Government Reaction and Future Steps
The Grémillet bill was intended to address the absence of an energy programming law due to the 2019 climate law setting up five-year energy laws beginning in 2023. The government had initially planned to bypass parliamentary procedures but faced opposition from the National Rally’s threats of a censure motion. Consequently, the government postponed the decree on the PPE for 2025-2035 and scheduled debates on the Grémillet bill instead. Despite the parliamentary setbacks, Minister Ferracci reaffirmed that the PPE decree will be published before the summer’s end.
Rolling Back Renewables?
The future of renewable energy in France remains uncertain, as two years of consultations have already reduced objectives for photovoltaics. The feasibility of maintaining the government’s original ambitions in the face of strong parliamentary opposition is questioned. How much will the government adapt to the stormy debates in the Assembly?
France’s energy transition is at a critical juncture, and the political maneuvering in this crucial sector will shape the country’s energy landscape for decades to come.
Evergreen Insight
For readers interested in France’s energy policies, it’s vital to stay informed about how political decisions impact the country’s broader environmental goals. Keep visiting archyde.com for the latest updates and expert analyses on the evolving energy landscape in France and beyond.
