Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger supports a European rate mechanism guaranteed by the public authorities to support the development of renewable energy in the EU. “We need a German law on renewable energy at European level,” he said, on 8 July in Brussels, at a press conference organised by Greenpeace for the presentation of a study on the advantages of ‘green’ energy. The German legislation to which he referred establishes subsidised rates for producers of renewable energy. “This is the first time the commissioner has expressed such a position,” welcomed the head of the Brussels office of Greenpeace, Jorgo Riss. “Such a mechanism would give assurances for investments in renewable energy,” explained the General Secretary of the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC), Christine Lins. It would also help the European countries meet their renewable energy targets. The study presented by Greenpeace and EREC demonstrates that 97% of European electricity could be produced from renewable sources. Oettinger, who is drawing up a proposal on the subject for spring 2011, welcomed the study as an “important contribution to a debate that is likely to spark conflict”.