Approval of the Energy Act in the canton of Baselland
Published: Sunday, Jun 9th 2024, 15:00
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In the canton of Baselland, the share of renewable energies in total consumption excluding mobility is to be increased to at least 70% by 2030. On Sunday, voters approved the corresponding amendment to the cantonal energy law.
A total of 45,308 voters were in favor of the revision of the Energy Act, while 38,123 votes were cast against. According to the State Chancellery, this corresponds to a 54.31% share of votes in favor. The turnout was 45.02 percent.
The law was approved in the Lower Basel municipalities close to the city and in the larger central Upper Basel municipalities of Liestal and Sissach. In the rural municipalities, the "no" votes predominated.
The aim of the bill is to largely cover energy requirements with renewable energies. For example, the heating requirement for existing buildings is to be reduced to an average of 40 kilowatt hours per square meter of energy reference area per year by 2050. Municipalities that have a gas distribution network are now obliged to draw up an energy plan for their area.
Resistance from the middle classes
The government and the majority of the Landrat supported the law. Opposition came from the SVP, parts of the FDP, the Chamber of Commerce and the homeowners' association. They feared more requirements and the associated expenses for homeowners. Because the four-fifths majority was not achieved in the vote in the district council, the bill had to be put to a referendum.
The decree on the Energy Act, which was also passed by the district council, was also a stumbling block in the referendum campaign. This provides for the conversion of old heat generators to heating with renewable energy from 2026. The decree would have come into force even if the bill had been rejected.
©Keystone/SDA
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