Andrzej Guła, founder of the Polish Smog Alert, resigned from President Karol Nawrocki’s Council of Energy and Natural Resources, citing disappointment with the proposed climate policy referendum.
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Guła’s Vision for Energy Modernization
“Entering the Council of Energy and Natural Resources, I decided to support the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, in the key area of building modernization, which I have been involved with for over a dozen years,” he wrote.
He emphasized that building modernization and improving energy efficiency in Poland can build the country’s resilience against “blackmail related to geopolitics and the availability of fossil fuels.” Guła also pointed to the opportunity to lower household bills, especially for the poorest.
Smog Alert Founder Disappointed by Referendum Proposal
“I see enormous potential in electrification, and I am pleased that the President also saw this potential, which resulted in a proposal to lower electricity prices and finance it from dedicated funds,” wrote Guła, citing plans to use funds from the EU ETS system for this purpose.
The founder of Polish Smog Alert emphasized that he is simultaneously “disappointed by the referendum proposal, which will consist of a single question with a clearly outlined thesis.” He explained that he recognizes the need for climate policy reform but pointed out the benefits of its operation. Guła listed, among others, the installation of photovoltaic panels in households and improved energy efficiency in buildings, resulting in lower heating bills. “And finally, thanks to the financial resources allocated to this policy, we breathe cleaner air today than a few years ago,” he noted.
“Discarding the entire concept of economic policy would be a huge mistake, which I cannot endorse. Therefore, I submit my resignation from the Council of Energy and Natural Resources to the Chairman today,” stated Andrzej Guła.
Role of the Energy and Natural Resources Council
The Council of Energy and Natural Resources gathered 21 experts who provided support to the president in the areas of energy security, raw material policy, and energy system transformation. Its tasks included preparing opinions and analyses concerning the sector, developing assumptions and projects for presidential legislative initiatives in energy policy, and formulating recommendations for the president, serving as a starting point for dialogue with the government and international partners. Its members included former Deputy Minister of Economy Piotr Naimski, Polish lawyer and presidential advisor Wanda Buk, Bartłomiej Mickiewicz – Deputy Chairman of the National Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność,” Jarosław Grzesik – Chairman of the Council of the National Secretariat of Mining and Energy NSZZ “S,” and Bogusław Szarek – Chairman of the National Section of Copper Ore Mining NSZZ “S.”
Currently, seventeen Councils operate under President Karol Nawrocki. The newest, the Council of the New Constitution, was appointed on May 3.
President Nawrocki Explains Referendum Proposal
On Thursday, President Karol Nawrocki announced he had submitted a motion to the Senate to hold a referendum on EU climate policy. He emphasized that “decisions made today will affect our lives for many years” and assessed that this particularly concerns “European climate policy.” He added that “the Green Deal and ETS mean higher energy prices, a decline in economic competitiveness, or the collapse of agricultural production.”
“Poles must have the right to express their opinion directly on the consequences of the Green Deal. The question to be posed is simple and fair: Are you in favor of implementing the EU climate policy, which has led to an increase in the cost of living for citizens, energy prices, and economic and agricultural activities?” the president said in a video published on social media on May 7. The head of state emphasized that “the referendum is not against environmental protection or our membership in a united Europe.”
