The government accuses Wauquiez of cutting funding for housing renovations

The president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region immediately rejected these criticisms, considering that this “state system” does not “fall within the scope of action of the Region”.

In a letter dated September 4 and consulted Tuesday by AFP, ministers Christophe Béchu (Ecological Transition), Agnès Pannier-Runacher (Energy Transition) and Patrice Vergriete (Housing) criticize the elected LR for "withdrawing the Regional Council of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes for financing and running the system".

The France Rénov spaces, created in early 2022, aim to advise and guide individuals in the energy renovation of their homes, a crucial project for reducing energy consumption and achieving France's climate objectives.

They are co-financed by the State, public agencies (Anah, Ademe) and local authorities, including the regions.

“We ask you to examine (...) all the possible margins of maneuver allowing you to secure the 3 MEUR that the Regional Council was committed to providing in 2024”, write the ministers.

“Your decision (...) threatens the jobs of the more than 300 people who support this public renovation service” and “will have the effect of depriving the inhabitants of the region of an essential public service for their renovation projects and weakens a major policy to fight against energy poverty such as climate change", they add.

In a letter sent in response, Mr. Wauquiez, while saying he "completely" shares the government's "concerns" in terms of ecological transition, wishes to "repeat that you mention in your letter a State system which does not does not fall within the scope of action of the Region. We have already drawn your attention to the financing issues of the systems that you are piloting".

In environmental matters, the Region favors "concrete actions" and "a pragmatic, on-the-ground vision", assures the LR elected official, citing for example "an energy sobriety plan for high schools" of EUR 80 million. And “financing administrative expenses is not the way that will allow us to meet our common objectives,” insists Mr. Wauquiez.