The Dutch Energy Council
The Energy Council is an independent advisory body that advises the Dutch government and parliament on energy policy. The Council was founded in 1976 in the wake of the 1973-1974 energy crisis.
It consists of ten members, appointed on a personal title, from sector-related society groups. The members all have a good knowledge of energy and related areas and a broad social experience and knowledge of society in general. In its work, the Energy Council is assisted by a small secretariat.
The Council aims to raise public awareness of energy-related issues in the government and the general public. Its advising policy is centred on the interaction between energy policy and developments in society.
The Council provides advice on issues submitted by the government or by the parliament or on issues chosen by the Council itself. Although the Minister of Economic Affairs usually seeks counsel on issues of a particular nature, the Council often volunteers advice on other issues as well.
The Energy Council annually draws up a programme of topics. In the past two decades, the Council has put forward some eighty recommendations regarding issues such as energy conservation, fuel diversification, nuclear energy and sustainable energy sources. On the agenda for 2007 are: fuel mix, innovation, biomass and mobility.
The Netherlands government receives in many policy areas advice from official advisory councils.