People should be able to vote on the blanket decree on the energy transition
Published: Thursday, Jan 18th 2024, 17:20
Updated At: Thursday, Jan 18th 2024, 17:20
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The implementation of the energy transition in Switzerland will probably be put to a popular vote. On Thursday, the Fondation Franz Weber (FFW) submitted a referendum to the Federal Chancellery in Bern against the energy decree passed by Parliament.
According to the FFW, 63,184 signatures were collected. The referendum was initially launched by a small alliance led by Pierre-Alain Bruchez from Neuchâtel, who was later joined by the Swiss Free Landscape Association and the FFW.
The referendum leaders criticize that the law for a secure electricity supply with renewable energies was passed in haste and goes too far. It makes "absolutely no sense to clear forests for wind turbines, disfigure Alpine landscapes with solar panels and flood biotopes for hydropower in the name of the climate", FFW President Vera Weber was quoted as saying.
If the blanket decree is implemented, many of the achievements of nature and landscape conservation will be thrown overboard, Weber told the media when handing over the signatures.
Signatures collected for the first time
Pierre-Alain Bruchez was delighted that many people had been mobilized at the last minute, so to speak, to collect signatures. Like him, many others were collecting signatures for the first time in their lives.
"We will be successful if we manage to convince the population to form their own opinion instead of following the parties' slogans," he said.
Parliament clearly approved the bill in the fall session. The National Council voted in favor by 177 votes to 19, the Council of States by 44 votes to none. A referendum is expected before the end of the year.
Environmental and business associations in favor of blanket decree
In addition to most political parties, environmental organizations such as the WWF, Greenpeace, the Swiss Energy Foundation (SES) and the "Never again nuclear power plants" association are also in favour of the blanket decree. Business associations from various sectors, including Economiesuisse, Swisscleantech and the TCS, also spoke out in favor of a yes vote at the Electricity Congress of the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE) on Thursday.
In addition, a large number of parliamentarians "from all parties" have already been won over to the alliance for the referendum campaign, the VSE announced following the electricity congress in Bern on Thursday. As soon as the referendum has been formally approved, a campaign will be launched, it said.
©Keystone/SDA
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