EU Lawmakers Approve Rule Overhaul to Boost Renewable Energy

European Union lawmakers on March 26 overwhelmingly approved the overhaul of the bloc’s electricity regulatory framework to help reduce carbon emissions by phasing out fossil fuels and restricting cross-border renewable energy transmission hurdles.

The new legislation also would establishe a legal framework to boost some of the world’s most advanced rights for community energy cooperatives.

The effort is part of a legislative package proposed in 2016 to help the EU meets its Paris Agreement climate change commitments.

It also includes measures to boost energy efficiency, such as forcing utility companies to provide “smart meters” that allow consumers to control energy ...