Brussels, 22/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 20 July, the European Commission agreed to authorise five measures to be taken by the Czech Republic on energy efficiency and renewable energy in the transport sector. The Commission's analysis has shown that most of these measures do not threaten to distort competition in the transport market or affect competition between Member States. For 2005-2008, the Czech Government plans spending totalling CZK 278 million (about €8 million).
The 5 measures: 1) financial aid for public transport authorities to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. This measure does not constitute aid since the beneficiaries, as public authorities, are not businesses. 2) Aid for the public transport companies to fit buses with cleaner engines - constitutes aid which is compatible with the common market as it is environmental aid. 3) Financial aid for the building of “park and ride” and “bike and ride” facilities and ways of improving the traffic flow. Only the “park and ride” facilities constitutes aid, but the Commission considers it to be compatible with the common market as it allows for better coordination of transport. 4) Financial aid to road, rail and inland waterway infrastructure managers to improve energy efficiency - the Commission's analysis shows that there is no risk of distortion of competition in the transport market. 5) Funding a public awareness raising campaign on energy savings, authorised by the European Commission under Article 87 (3c) of the Treaty.