Councils at odds over funding for energy research
Published: Tuesday, Sep 10th 2024, 12:50
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Parliament wants to provide funding for research into energy and climate issues. However, in contrast to the Federal Council and the Council of States, the National Council on Tuesday shortened the period of validity of the resolution and thus also the corresponding commitment credit.
The Grand Chamber voted in favor of allocating CHF 35.6 million to the Sweeter funding instrument for the years 2025 to 2028. A decision on the continuation of the program will then be made as part of the dispatch on the promotion of education, research and innovation (ERI).
With its decision, the Council followed the majority of the advisory committee. It pointed out that the four-year cycle was also the rule in other areas of science funding. The average funds per year would not be reduced by the proposal.
The Federal Council had requested an additional CHF 106.8 million from Parliament for the years 2025 to 2036. The Council of States narrowly approved this proposal in May.
The National Council also had to decide on several minority motions that provided for other periods or amounts. These did not find a majority.
Martin Bäumle (GLP National Councillor, Zurich), for example, complained that this was about long-term projects that require investment security. Gabriela Suter (SP/AG) also argued for a longer program duration.
A minority of the committee led by Lars Guggisberg (SVP/BE), on the other hand, wanted to allocate CHF 53.4 million for the period up to 2032, which would have corresponded to a reduction in funding. He referred to the tense situation of the federal finances.
The Sweeter (Swiss research for the energy transition and emissions reduction) funding instrument is intended to find quick and targeted answers to new, urgent questions on securing supply and converting the energy system to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the Federal Council wrote in its dispatch to Parliament. The planned funds should be compensated for in the upcoming ERI Dispatch. Implementation is therefore budget-neutral.
The matter goes back to the Council of States.
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