Brussels, 25/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the report of Eryl Margaret McNally (PES, Britain) on the proposal for the multi-annual "Intelligent energy for Europe" (actions in the field of energy 2003-2006: see EUROPE 4/5 November p 17), the Parliament has requested (first reading, co-decision), an increase in the programme's budget, which was on the Energy Council's agenda for this Monday. According to the EP, the budget should increase by EUR 40 million (from EUR 215 million to EUR 255 million) and focus EUR 25 million to SAVE (energy efficiency), ALTENER (renewable energies), STEER (energy aspects in transport) and EUR 15 million more for COOPENER (promotion of renewable energy in developing countries). The Parliament also wants the Commission to be assisted by five MEPs who have the status of full membership of the committee and who are in charge of setting the action guidelines, as well as regional and local organisations being appointed to co-ordinate the implementation of these programmes. Other amendments aim to: 1) integrate candidate countries where renewable energies are underdeveloped; 2) give priority to SMEs; 3) ensure transparency and the availability of information during the selection process; 4) strengthen the co-ordination of the different Community programmes by setting up a "Task force"; 5) create a European agency for intelligent energy.