EPP Group avoids increase in energy prices for households

"I am pleased that the European Parliament rejected the European Commission's proposal on withdrawing carbon permits from the market, so-called backloading. It shows that this Institution is acting responsibly and thanks to the EPP Group, we will avoid higher energy costs for consumers", said Eija-Riitta Korhola MEP, the EPP Group's negotiator of the legislative proposal.

"The rejection is right. But I do not see much space for a new compromise. The artificial increase in energy prices is for sure the wrong decision in the current economic situation. Interventions into the market of the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS) makes climate protection in Europe more expensive and inefficient worldwide", said Richard Seeber MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament.

"Backloading is not a cure for the ETS. As the Report is going back to the Environment Committee, we should focus on the structural problems of the ETS, not on short-sighted solutions. In the present economic situation, the decision of backloading would be a wrong signal for households and industries alike. The burden of rising costs is not needed now", added Eija-Riitta Korhola.

"Recent studies show that the EU will reach the goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 21% in 2020. If we reach the goals, there is no reason to tighten the thumbscrews", said Richard Seeber.

The EP rejected the European Commission's proposal to withdraw 900 million carbon emission allowances from the market. The document has been referred back to the Environment Committee for further negotiations.