American Chamber of Commerce in Romania

The American Chamber of Commerce in Romania (AmCham Romania) announces the release of a new Position Paper on Energy & Environment, elaborated by the dedicated AmCham Romania working group.

The position document, currently submitted to the central authorities in the field, details potential Government initiatives in both fields, on a short and medium term, which would be supported by AmCham Romania members.

“Along with the strategy, we emphasize the emergency of launching coherent measures, adopting the best practices in the field, the importance of political consensus and the consistency of decision-makers in the implementation of energy and environment policies. Future actions in these sectors should not be isolated, but on the contrary, be part of an integrated approach of the competitiveness – climate change – energy security triad” stated the Chairman of the AmCham Romania Energy & Environment Committee, Cristian Colþeanu.

AmCham Romania supports urgent and coherent action in Romania based on political consensus, consistent high-level approach and best industry practices, in order to address the triad competitiveness - climate change - security. In the current economic conditions, the competitiveness issue is vital, but there are numerous ways in which energy and environmental policy can support it.

AmCham Romania believes that the current financial crisis should not determine the delaying or softening of the regulations regarding energy market development, emissions reduction and increased use of the renewable energy resources; the European regulatory framework and national legislation should provide for incentives, and should ensure that companies are not forced to reduce their activity, decrease the number of employees or relocate the factories outside the EU.

The foreseeable high energy prices, carbon constraints and greater competition for resources and markets are risks but also present opportunities Romania should seize in order to ensure a strong competitive advantage in the region. New greener technologies can stimulate growth and create new jobs and services and AmCham Romania is willing to contribute in this respect. At the same time, AmCham Romania can provide support and expertise to address the key energy challenges in the context of CEE regional energy market and the achievement of EU Energy Efficiency Policy, in terms of a sustainable, competitive and secure energy future for Romania.

AmCham Romania advocates for:
 A consolidated and functional legal and regulatory framework and a stable and coherent energy policy, based on a mix of energy resources and new technology with secured energy supply and strategic energy infrastructure
 Supporting renewable energy:
 Transposition and implementation of Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, including the preparation and submission to the EC of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) by 30 June 2010.
 Clarification of the legislation regulating the renewable energy sector in Romania, including clarifying the required production of electricity from renewable resources as per Law 220/2008 and issuing the norms for the implementation of this law, as well as new regulation on grid connection of new investments.
 The high efficiency cogeneration bonus scheme
 The implementation of a coherent energy efficiency policy, tackling all energy sectors from production to transport, distribution and consumption
 Ensuring improved energy efficiency in buildings through implementation of the EPBD (Energy Performance in Buildings Directive) recast and consequently updating Law 372/2005 on energy performance in buildings
 Implementing policies and measures for climate change mitigation
 Transposition and implementation of Directive 2009/29/EC amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to improve and extend the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system of the Community. AmCham Romania would support Government initiatives preventing relocation of industries due to increase in energy prices
 Under the Waste framework Directive, which should be transposed by the EU Member States by December 2010, promoting a realistic national approach for the issues open for Member States decision, i.e. waste hierarchy, recovery-disposal, by-products, waste management plans, etc.
 For historically contaminated waste and sites - completion of the legislative framework regulated by the Government Decision no. 1408/2007 for detailing the procedure of investigation and assessment of soil and subsoil pollution
 Wastewater – adopting specific wastewater quality norms for each industrial sector, which should be developed in consultation with industry groups
 Transparent communication between authorities regarding the IPPC revision – the new Industrial Emission Directive combining and revising several directives - which has to be approved in final form by December 2010, in order to not hinder the economic and industrial development.

The AmCham Romania Energy & Environment Committee brings together experts from big power producers and distributors, power equipment producers, consultancies, law firms specialized in energy and environment. Other AmCham Romania working groups focus on taxation, healthcare, competition, state-aid, public procurement and structural funds, ITC, labor market, human resources and education, infrastructure, tourism and corporate governance.

Through its working groups, AmCham Romania elaborates and submits to the authorities recommendations for improving the legislative framework, and recommends solutions for the developing these sectors, providing the authorities the AmCham member’s expertise accumulated in the local and international business environment.


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