Advocates see an important interim step in saying yes to the blanket decree
Published: Sunday, Jun 9th 2024, 16:00
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Most political parties, a number of environmental associations and the Swiss economy are delighted with the Swiss people's clear "yes" to the energy decree. An important step has been taken on Switzerland's path to a secure energy supply, they say.
"It was certainly a good day for Switzerland's electricity supply," Christian Imark, one of several co-presidents of the Alliance for a Secure Electricity Supply, told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Sunday on request. The Alliance was at the forefront of the fight for a Yes vote at the ballot box.
The FDP and the Green Liberals spoke of important steps towards the future of energy. The Greens are "delighted" and the SP speaks of a "victory for climate protection and security of supply in Switzerland". It was "very pleasing" that the electorate had approved a "balanced bill", wrote the Center Party.
The umbrella organization of the Swiss economy, Economiesuisse, welcomed the adoption of the bill, as did the Swiss Trade Association and Travail.Suisse, the independent umbrella organization of employees. The environmental organizations Greenpeace, WWF and Birdlife Switzerland were also pleased.
However, most of the comments also stated that saying "yes" to the energy decree was not enough. Further steps are needed.
Role of nuclear power remains controversial
The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE), for example, writes that the acceleration decree pending in the Swiss parliament is an indispensable addition to the framework decree. The former must come into force soon so that the expansion targets set out in the Electricity Act can be achieved on time.
Economiesuisse also writes that the challenges remain "huge". A clear implementation plan is now needed to ensure that Switzerland achieves the targets set out in the Energy Act. An electricity agreement with the EU is also needed quickly.
For Greenpeace and the SP, the Yes vote means a definitive exit from nuclear energy. The Swiss tech industry association Swissmem, on the other hand, says that the measures needed to achieve the targets include lifting the ban on new nuclear power plant construction. The role of nuclear power in Switzerland therefore remains controversial.
The FDP called on environmental associations to hold back from objecting to projects.
SVP expects "fluttering current"
A majority of the SVP Switzerland and the so-called Nature Committee around the Fondation Franz Weber fought against the bill. Vera Weber from this foundation also saw positive aspects to the result: After all, the referendum had "sensitized the population by putting energy policy and nature conservation up for debate".
However, the committee also speaks of a "serious defeat for nature and landscape conservation in Switzerland". The law would lead to large-scale obstruction of natural landscapes, although solar panels can be installed on roofs, not in nature.
The SVP regretted the yes vote and wrote that "once again" "false promises" had been made to the population. Switzerland would not receive a secure electricity supply with renewable energies, as the supporters said. The Electricity Act would bring little and unsafe "fluttering electricity" for a lot of money at the expense of nature.
Electricity bills would be higher and municipalities and the population would lose influence. The SVP will closely monitor the implementation of the blanket decree. The SVP is also calling for the ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants to be lifted.
©Keystone/SDA
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