| SUMMARY: |
Energy poverty, understood as a problem in terms of the
affordability of the bill, but also in terms of the poor access to
modern means to provide thermal comfort in a household, is a
widespread phenomenon across the European Union, the postcommunist
space being mostly affected by it. Energy poverty is a
major social marginalization factor, and the unaffordability of the
bill or the lack of access to modern forms of energy generate
obstacles in the educational and socio-economic development of
individuals, being a factor contributing to the deepening of poverty
and exclusion in a wider sense. In Romania, the phenomenon is not
marginal, but it is underestimated, inconsistently approached at
conceptual and legislative level and it is targeted by incoherent and
contradictory policies. Starting from the dominant discussions on the
notion and working tools applicable at international level, the report
presents a radiography of the Romanian legal and public policy
framework and analyzes the way in which the current approach
reflects on the social reality in our country. Based on the analysis of
relevant statistical data and on the field survey conducted in three
counties (Bacău, Hunedoara, Teleorman), the report identifies the
major faults and provides objective public policy recommendations. |
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