Lower energy taxes

The EPP Group calls for structural changes, not short-term market interventions, to bring energy prices down. To make industrial production clean, it must be competitive. That is why the EPP Group supports the Clean Industrial Deal and Affordable Energy Action Plan, which the European Commissions presented today, designed to make energy more affordable for businesses and consumers.

Christian Ehler MEP, EPP Group spokesman for Industry and Energy, stresses the importance of these plans: “European industry is paying far more for energy than other major players in the world. Our goal is clear: lowering energy bills while implementing reforms to prevent future price shocks like the energy crisis in 2022. To achieve this, we need to tackle energy prices, network costs, levies and energy taxes”.

“But we must be realistic: prices will not go down structurally immediately. Lowering energy prices requires continued action across all levels, from the EU down to each municipality, over the course of several years. Although short-term market interventions seem like they might cure the symptoms, they will not help us in the long-term. The EPP will stand firmly against those interventions, which leftist and right parties are calling for. We must urgently act on the only realistic short-term relief measure for businesses and citizens: lower energy taxes, which are way too high across Europe”, Ehler continues.

“The Clean Industrial Deal finally delivers the first brick towards building the business case for European businesses on their way to decarbonisation. I welcome that it pulls all the necessary levers, from access to capital and cheaper energy to support measures for decarbonisation”, Ehler explains.

However, he calls for courageous choices. “We must think broadly: in the short-term, it will not be possible to simultaneously achieve all three goals of a competitive economy, climate ambitions and environmental goals – we must prioritise, and not shy away from difficult decisions. Climate protection is a generational task. For the EPP Group, climate and competitiveness take clear priority. And a further simplification of environmental legislation beyond the forthcoming omnibus efforts must not be a taboo. We have to consider whether some environmental legislation from the past mandate is adequate”, Ehler emphasised.