6. If the EU's resources are limited, the best approach would not be support, but some sort of requirement to develop networks (utilities forced to spend from their own resources or some form of tax).

7. - (will return to it after reading the Green Paper)

8. Nnno - no extension of the TEN-E to oil infrastructure or others.

9. -

10. Sure, turning the TEN-E into an operational security of supply and solidarity instrument would get the EU more visibility, but not necessarily on the positive side.

11. - (will return to it after reading the Green Paper)

Local planning disputes can become a matter for EU policy when EU policies that have direct relevance towards planning are affected, e.g. Natura 2000; EIA Directive, or if the planning dispute has a cross-border element and relates to a TEN-E project. Local planning disputes are otherwise an issue for the national government to work out. It has to be made clear that these disputes are not legitimate grounds for failure by national governments to meet EU targets such as a national renewable energy target.

When a local planning dispute threatens to delay a TEN-E project, the EU Commission should put pressure on the national government and try to clarify the project to local communities.

The EU should spend much more effort to prevent local planning disputes by linking up impact assessments to involve local communities at an earlier stage in TEN projects. To that end, more funds should be allocated for IA in DG TREN.

3. Research and demonstration projects should be targeted specifically towards the operation of a European electricity grid with a high share of renewable energy. This implies directing funds primarily towards storage, local generation and changes to the electricity grid.

4. The most important activity for the EU is rapid expansion of the TEN-E network through co-funding. Priority should be given to electricity networks. Funding for TEN should be enlarged through an increase in the general budget of the EU, shifting funds within the EU budget away from agriculture and fisheries, and utilising money left over in the budget.

5. Facilitation of infrastructure investment in third countries should be restricted to cases that bring a direct benefit to the EU energy network. Priority should be given to electricity networks that transport renewable energy, as in the DESERTEC concept, over gas and oil infrastructure.