Page 186 - Proceeding 2015

FAMP MU?ATESCU Virgil and COMĂNESCU Mihaela
CCASP ENERGY EFFICIENCY – A CHALLENGE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES

in 2013 to reduce their pressure on electricity prices). This will be the major challenge not only for

central authorities but especially for the local ones who are closer to the citizens and can better „absorb”
citizens’ satisfaction or discontent. It is clear that energy efficiency measures will be the single way to
solve such a problem, so the local authorities have to act now.

CONCLUSIONS

Taking all these into account, we consider that energy poverty is a strategic issue related to any

country’s security and central and local authorities have specific roles in coping with such a problem. In
such context, the main conclusions of this paper are:

? The energy (thermal energy, in special) public service is important in such a measure that

some experts dare to express their view that this service is essential and its delivery could be
considered as a basic right similar to the other human rights. At the same time, studies made
by Romanian Academy (2015) consider that protection of energy consumer is part of country

security. That shows the huge responsibility of the providers of the legal and regulatory
framework and of the implementors of such services. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 11 TH ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ”Strategic Management for Local Communities” 30 th – 31 st October 2015 Bucharest

? The scarcity or even lack of needed energy service defines the vulnerable consumers and the

„depth” of energy poverty. Now, in Romania, it is considered that a comparison between
consumers’ financial resources and the value of energy bill can define this energy poverty
depth. But, recent studies demonstrated that a simple financial approach to provide social aid/

subsidies to these vulnerable consumers (the present approach in Romania) is not enough
because there is a need to improve the energy characteristics of consumer’s life environment:
thermal modernization of the buildings, extension of connections to energy system, etc.

? Energy bill has as basic element a multiplication of energy quantity and the price. That shows
that the energy poverty could be reduced not only by providing financial aid to increase income
for vulnerable consumers, but also by reducing the need by using better that energy. In this

respect, energy efficiency is an essential tool. If we discuss about electricity, gas, and other
fuels, the markets are countrywide, but thermal energy provided through central district heating

is local and usually transport, distribution, and supply are done by local authorities owned
entities.

? In this context, local authorities have an essential role, not only in providing this public service,

but also integrating energy efficiency programs in their policies and implementing them

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