Will there be money for subway D? The costs of the Prague Climate Plan are astronomical
The current chairman of the commission for sustainable energy and climate, Martin Bursík, claims that, according to him, the ODS misunderstood the project. “I do not want to evaluate the criticism politically, I am in the commission as an expert. The estimated costs of all measures in the amount of 231 billion crowns also include expenditures of the private sector, a substantial part of which will be covered by the new EU subsidy program. The city’s share of funding will be a minority, “said Bursík, adding that the money” from Brussels “is promised in the preparation of the document.
“Recently, the price of emission allowances exceeded a record 50 euros (1250 crowns) per tonne of CO2. It is assumed that throughout the EU, emission allowances will be paid for in transport and construction, today it is only in industry. Getting rid of CO2 dependence is the way to savings, “says the author of the environmental strategy.
Also, according to the coalition, considerable “initial investment” in Prague will pay off and will keep households’ energy costs at a tolerable level in the long run in the long run.
“Even today, for example, the price of emission allowances is so high that the coal period probably ends much earlier than in 2038, as presented by the Coal Commission. The transition to renewable energy sources and the maximization of energy savings entail, in addition to ecological motivation, a clearly rational economic decision, “said Deputy Mayor Petr Hlubuček (United Forces / STAN), who is responsible for preparing the climate plan.
According to him, thanks to the reduction of emissions, the city and its inhabitants must save only five billion crowns a year on allowances alone.
Quietly and without opposition
The coalition also holds that a number of steps in this area are already being implemented or being prepared by Prague, using modern technologies. Examples are the pilot project of detecting the occupancy of a class waste container, measuring the energy intensity of city buildings, the beginning of the expansion of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles or the planned sharing of data on the occupancy of P + R car parks on the Prague border.
Critics, on the other hand, criticize the lack of consideration of the benefits and impacts of individual measures, as well as its submission without public discussion or professional opposition.
According to Štěpána Křečka, the main economic company BHS, which trades in securities, multibillion-dollar expenses cannot do without creating debts without a clear guarantee of sources of financing. “This must involve not only the budget of the capital for many years, but also the budgets of city districts and city companies,” he warned.
Filip Dvořák (ODS), who is an official of the Czech Chamber of Commerce and the local cell in Prague 1, pointed out the risk that investments may jeopardize major projects such as metro D. The strategy is backed by the Chamber of Commerce of the Capital City of Prague. of Prague. “Not only because of the mentioned financial particle, this is a completely unprecedented plan in the modern history of Prague. That is why it is unbelievable how quickly, quietly, without intense professional debate or opposition and public participation, its approval takes place, “stated Dvořák.
“Within the subsidy programs of the EU and the banking sector, gradually to redirect the flow of subsidy, banking, investment and operating funds to projects that focus on reducing CO2. That is why we actively participated in the preparation of the plan, which we perceive as the most extensive ecological and at the same time investment program in the history of Prague, “said its vice-chairman Petr Michal.