Federal states fight together for fast energy transition and clear laws!

Federal states fight together for fast energy transition and clear laws!

Wien, Österreich - On May 23, 2025, the first conference of state energy officers (Lerk) has taken place in Vienna since the formation of the new federal government period. All nine federal states demonstrated great unity in the demand for a faster progress in the energy transition. Clear legal framework conditions were considered necessary in order to support the comprehensive goals of the energy transition and the implementation of current EU guidelines. Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky underlined the urgency of these measures in the face of the climate crisis and the dependence on fossil energy imports.

Energy State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner emphasized that a shoulder closure between the federal and state governments was essential to advance the transformation of the energy system. In particular, the legislation of the law in the gas industry law, in the right of housing, in the electricity and organization law as well as in the Green Gas Act should serve to ensure affordable energy prices and to initiate a socially just energy transition.

claims of the federal states

particularly highlighted is the demand of the Burgenland governor Anja Haider-Wallner, who demanded a faster pace in implementing climate funding and laws. A central topic that was addressed during the conference is the increase in network charges as a result of the expansion of renewable energies. In this regard, further discussions with the federal government are planned.

Austria has fallen behind some EU requirements, which could have negative effects on the business location. A stable conveyor frame for the heat transition and the exit from oil and gas were emphasized as the central points of the discussion. In addition, the federal states are committed to further development of educational leave as a retraining tool.

Vienna as a pioneer

Vienna is called a pioneer in the energy transition. With programs such as "Raus out of gas" and the "Wiener Wärmeplan 2040", the city pursues the ambitious goal of becoming climate -neutral by 2040. The joint decision to decommission no longer needed gas networks should help avoid increasing network charges. The cooperation of all political levels is considered the central component of this project.

These developments are also in the context of European climate protection policy, which aims to reduce the effects of climate change and to reduce environmental and climate-damaging activities. According to the Environmental Office , the target value of the EU for 2020 was a goal in comparison to 1990.

The long-term strategy of the EU, which strives for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, is accompanied by various measures, including the Repower EU measures package, which aims to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and to accelerate the transition to clean energy. It is all the more important that Austria reacts quickly and makes the necessary adjustments in order to achieve not only the national but also the European climate goals.

Overall, the conference of the state energy officers shows that the will to implement a successful energy transition in Austria is strongly pronounced, but urgent action is necessary to grow the challenges of the future.