The Movement for Change submitted a question through the Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki II and Head of Energy and Environment of the Movement for Change, George Arvanitidis, Regarding the Decision of the former Minister of Energy and Environment Mr.. Hatzidaki to cut the resources of the Green Fund intended for the Depoliticization.
The relevant question follows.
Question
To the Minister of Environment and Energy Mr.. K. Σκρέκα
Theme: With Hatzidakis decision, the resources of the Green Fund intended for the Depoliticization are cut.
Mr. Minister,
as known, new Years Eve, by decision of the outgoing Minister of Environment and Energy Mr.. Hatzidaki (ΥΠΕΝ / ΔΚΑΠΑ / 126440/2480 / 31.12.2020), has changed the way greenhouse gas emissions are distributed for the year 2020 and thus the resources of the Green Fund intended for the Depoliticization of the regions of Western Macedonia and Megalopolis are cut.
More specifically, Mr.. Hatzidakis with his Ministerial Decision cut the specific resources from 6% in 1% to the Green Fund, provoking the reactions of the local municipalities and bodies of the disputed areas that are called to make the famous "Fair Transition". It should be noted that the percentage of revenue directed to the lignite areas reached 6% for 2018 and 2019, with the total budget per year reaching 30m., while for 2020 will just fall on 1% which means that it will not exceed 5cm. euro. This Ministerial Decision in fact, which decisively affects the future of the energy Municipalities of the country, was done "in secret" and without any institutional agent being informed or having any relevant consultation.
Because, It is now becoming clear that the Government's much-publicized Master Plan is now in conflict with this Decision and not only a "Fair Transition" will not lead to, but it will bring about an ever more unfair transition, if such unjust and unjustified Ministerial Decisions are implemented,
Because, in a period of prolonged recession in the regions of Western Macedonia and Megalopolis there is no luxury to cut resources for the complex project of Depoliticization,
Because this project will of course take in the long run, However, the current situation due to the pandemic brings to a marginal situation these areas where the immediate disbursement of funds is required for the start of the first projects and actions., in view of the very short Depoliticization schedule, which had been set by the previous political leadership of the Ministry,
Because of this unprecedented and sudden reduction in the relevant revenues from the auctions of greenhouse gas emission allowances decided on 31.12.2020 to be added to the already much reduced "Special Fee for Exploration and Exploitation Rights of Lignite", when with N. 4533/2018 replaced to the worst, from 1 January 2019, the previous way of calculating the relevant resources paid in the disputed areas as a development fee of N.. 2445/1996,
asks Mr.. Minister:
- Do you intend to amend the least incomprehensible and misplaced Ministerial Decision of your predecessor?, which will deprive the areas to be relocated of significant and valuable resources needed to finance actions, aimed at strengthening local economies and creating new jobs;
- Do you intend to institutionalize the right of transition areas as a permanent percentage? (e.g 6%) so that it is not a weapon of the respective ministerial dispositions and decisions, as we have previously suggested as a Movement for Change and was not accepted by your predecessor;
Athena, 11 January 2021
The questioning Member
George Arvanitidis
