French energy bill clears first hurdle

The French energy transition bill, aimed at reducing the country's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cutting oil use and shifting power production away from nuclear, has passed its first reading.

Lawmakers in the national assembly voted by 314 to 219 in support of the bill, with centre-left, green and left-wing parties in favour and centre and far-right members opposing the legislation. "We have reached a major moment for green growth in France," energy minister Segolene Royal said after the vote. The decree will now move to the country's senate, where it will be voted on in the coming weeks for adoption into law.

Taking 2012 as its starting point, the bill aims to cut fossil fuel use by 30pc by 2030 with a series of incentives, yet to be fully fleshed out, including boosting electric vehicle growth and raising demand for second and third generation biofuels. Royal said France will have 7mn electric vehicle recharging points by 2030 and tariffs to encourage consumers to switch to electric vehicles will also be introduced.

The bill will also boost the coffers of the country's heating fund to around €400mn/yr from current levels of around €250mn/yr. From 2017, the fund will pay to replace oil, gas and coal-fired municipal heating systems — used to heat homes and public buildings — with those powered by renewable energy, notably wood chips and pellets.

The bill — which was first drafted by former energy minister Delphine Batho — aims to reduce French dependence on nuclear power to produce electricity from 75pc to 50pc by 2025 and cut by 75pc the amount of emissions released by energy by 2050. It is also targeting a reduction of final energy demand by 50pc between 2012 and 2050. The government said the most immediate steps that it will take to put the law into practice will be the introduction of extensive regulations in construction to improve energy efficiency in new homes and renovations.

The law was criticised by right-wing opponents in the assembly as hastily assembled and lacking in detail. Environmental group Greenpeace also said certain aspects of the bill, notably the promotion of electric vehicles and advanced biofuels, were "a good idea in name only. Without targeting coherent plans for better a public transport system, this is an unfinished piece of legislation".

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