Reuters: EU energy chief rules out 40 percent energy savings goal

A 40 percent energy saving target as the EU's 2030 goal, supported by some, is unrealistic, Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said, adding that the debate continued.

Momentum is building for a binding energy efficiency goal in the European Union. Some members argue it would improve energy security by reducing demand as the bloc seeks to wean itself off dependency on Russian gas and other imported fossil fuel.

Germany has said it would support a binding efficiency target, but has not specified the level.

Already the Commission, the EU executive, has outlined two 2030 green energy goals - one to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent compared with 1990 levels and one to increase the share of renewable energy to 27 percent.
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