Regional Energy Policy Requires Decentralization as Solution

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] The 'Local Government Council for Energy Policy Transformation (Chairperson: Suwon Mayor Yom Tae-young)' has proposed improvements to legal infrastructure for energy decentralization.

The Local Government Council for Energy Policy Transformation held a 'Policy Proposal Forum for Regional Energy Transition' with the Democratic Party's Special Committee on Climate Change Response and Energy Transition Industry Promotion at the National Assembly on the 22nd.

The forum was attended by Special Committee Chair Woo Won-shik and member lawmakers of the National Assembly, who listened to opinions from local government leaders including Chairperson Yom Tae-young, Dangjin City Mayor Kim Hong-jang of South Chungcheong Province, Goyang Mayor Lee Jae-joon, Yeoju Mayor Lee Hang-jin, and Bonghwa County Governor Eom Tae-hang of North Gyeongsang Province.

At the meeting, the local government mayors presented various opinions including cooperation methods for energy decentralization and measures to improve related laws and systems to support it.

The Local Government Council for Energy Policy Transformation first proposed a significant expansion of the electrical business licensing authority.

Additionally, they requested that administrative and financial incentives be provided to local governments actively participating in renewable energy supply and institutional improvement, and that they be given priority allocation in pilot projects.

Discussions also took place on the necessity of establishing resident-participatory regional energy plans and support systems such as the Regional Energy Transition Support Center.

In particular, they pointed out difficulties in safety inspections and post-management due to data on renewable energy installation status not being shared with local governments, and argued that an integrated online system should be established to enable each institution to share their data.

The Climate and Energy Special Committee and the Local Government Council plan to strengthen future cooperation, including plans to announce a joint declaration in early next month incorporating the results of such discussions.

Meanwhile, the Local Government Council for Energy Policy Transformation was established through inter-local government exchanges and cooperation to transition the formulation and implementation of energy policy from the nation to local governments.

Chairperson Yom Tae-young stated, "For sustainable environment, a transition to a regional energy system centered on citizens, communities, and ecosystems is urgent," and added, "Cooperation between the central and local governments is necessary along with improvements in laws and systems that make local governments the subject of energy policy transformation, and innovation in systems."