European leaders are pushing for an EU-wide investigation into the causes of the sharply rising energy prices. Several Southern European EU countries are already requesting EU subsidies to combat the still increasing costs of gas and electricity.
Dutch Member of the European Parliament Bert-Jan Ruissen advocates postponing new European environmental taxes and for the construction of new nuclear power plants.
The gas price is currently breaking record after record, but more in some countries than others. Companies are also struggling under the rising energy costs. It threatens to significantly hinder the post-corona recovery.
During an informal meeting of EU leaders in the Slovenian town of Kranj, the topic was high on the agenda. “First you have to see what countries can do themselves,” says outgoing Prime Minister Rutte. “Maybe afterwards you can address a number of things at the European level.”
Several EU countries have already taken measures to curb the price increases, by lowering taxes as the Netherlands has done. France is going a step further and has frozen gas and electricity prices. In Spain, residents pay three times as much for electricity as six months ago. And winter has not yet arrived.
The Dutch House of Representatives has allocated €375 million to keep electricity affordable in the Netherlands. Spain is lowering VAT and forcing energy companies to reduce their prices until they make no profit. Extending the operation of Spain’s five nuclear power plants remains off the table for Madrid.
Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) pointed out last night in a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg the impact of new environmental taxes on energy prices.
“We must be careful with EU measures that will further drive up prices now, such as CO2 levies. This is not the right moment,” he said. “Instead of extra demands and levies, we want additional energy sources. The EU should no longer exclude new nuclear power plants!”
In the energy debate, Ruissen’s ECR group complained yesterday that EU policy does not mention nuclear energy anywhere. “As SGP we find stewardship important. It is therefore crucial not to exclude any technologies in the energy transition. Nuclear energy can help us become more sustainable, in a way that ensures supply security.”
Ruissen advocates that the EU should give the Netherlands and other EU countries the freedom to shape the energy transition in their own way. “Countries know best which technologies and options work for them. Therefore, there is no need for far-reaching, detailed dictates from Brussels on this point, but rather space must remain for countries to make their own choices.”
On Wednesday, members of the European Parliament will discuss with Commissioner Simson and the Slovenian presidency possible measures to mitigate the effects of rising energy prices for consumers and businesses. The role of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, and the need to address energy poverty, are some of the topics expected to be covered in the debate.