energy industry

EU to subsidize household fuel prices surging amid Ukraine crisis

Reuters

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

EU to subsidize household fuel prices surging amid Ukraine crisis

HOUSEHOLD FUEL. A gas burner is pictured on a cooker in a private home in Bordeaux, France, December 13, 2012.

Regis Duvignau/Reuters

The European Union will support households and companies hardest hit by the upsurge in gas prices, and also vows to diversify energy sources

BRUSSELS, Belgium – European Union finance ministers agreed on Tuesday, March 15, to subsidize household fuel prices and offer support to companies hit by surging energy prices as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said.

“This war in Ukraine is leading to a sharp increase in the price of commodities, particularly gas and food. This calls for a coordinated economic response by European states,” Le Maire told a news conference after chairing talks between EU ministers.

Le Maire, whose country holds the rotating six-month presidency of the 27-nation EU, said the joint strategy was based on European Commission proposals to ease curbs on EU state aid to help deal with the Ukraine emergency.

“The strategy is based on three key aspects. First, support for all households affected by the sharp rise in fuel prices. This one we did in France and many other European countries have done the same, or are considering doing this,” said Le Maire.

“That would be a kind of discount on prices at the pump. Many, many people have no choice but to drive to work by car. The support for households we deem necessary,” he said.

Must Read

War-fueled inflation adds to Europe’s cost of living crisis

War-fueled inflation adds to Europe’s cost of living crisis

The second support measure was to help companies hardest hit by the upsurge in gas prices. The help would come as loans guaranteed by the government or grants for companies which consume a lot of energy.

The third measure was to diversify sources of energy to become independent of Russia which is the bloc’s biggest energy supplier, providing 45% of its gas, more than a quarter of its oil, and half its coal.

“We have to construct our energy independence as soon as possible. We have to speed up investment, we have to diversify sources of energy, we have to diversify supply sources, we have to build up stocks,” Le Maire said.

European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said EU countries could finance such investment from very cheap loans available under the EU’s recovery fund that remained untapped.

“There is still 200 billion euros available in loans that member states can request up to August 2023 to finance more investment and reforms,” Dombrovskis told the news conference.

“That is a massive amount which can be used to respond to certain challenges arising from the conflict – for example, to accelerate the development of renewables.” – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!