Brussels, 10/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Friday the Commission authorised the Austrian “feed-in” tariffs for electricity from renewable sources and the support tariff for combined heat and power installations for public district heating. This decision retroactively authorises the support measures contained in the Austrian Green Electricity Act 2002, which may, therefore, be retained in the future. “I am happy to approve aid for the promotion of green electricity, especially as this is a very important objective of the Community policy for environmental protection and serves the development of sustainable energy,” said Neelie Kroes in a press release. The aid for the production of green electricity takes the form of purchase obligations at fixed prices for electricity from renewable energy sources and a support tariff for electricity produced in combined heat and power installations for public district heating. The Commission said that, while the measure constituted State aid, it was in line with the Community framework for the protection of the environment, the feed-in and support tariffs being limited to covering the difference between the market price and the cost of this type of production.