2023-05-11 14:46:06
ÖVP energy spokeswoman refers, among other things, to the increase in energy price transparency
Vienna (OTS) – Inflation in Austria is still high, people are mainly affected with increases in the service sector, basic foodstuffs and energy. The federal government has already managed to stabilize disposable income and purchasing power through extensive relief measures, while they have fallen in other countries, according to ÖVP energy spokeswoman Tanja Graf today, Thursday. To further counter persistent inflation, a package of anti-inflation measures is now being put in place in key areas, including energy. The measures are particularly aimed at strengthening competition and curbing inflation without excessive market intervention. End consumers in particular should be relieved.
In the energy sector, for example, it includes increasing energy price transparency in order to help lower energy prices. For example, regulations and contractual obligations are to be made more transparent in the future. The 90 percent reduction in electricity and natural gas taxes will also be extended by another six months as an inflation-dampening measure. The entire population will benefit from this to the extent of around 400 million euros, emphasizes the energy spokeswoman.
“In a crisis like this, it is important to relieve the people who need it most. The People’s Party is clearly on the side of the population. Even with the Energy Efficiency Reform Act 2023, which was passed yesterday with a simple majority in the Committee on Economics, Energy and Industry we want to continue to contribute to the relief and also quickly implement an EU directive in order to avoid infringement proceedings,” says Graf.
In this context, the mandatary cannot understand the rejection of the package by the SPÖ MP Alois Schroll. In addition to the up to 190 million euros per year for efficiency-enhancing measures already provided for in the government bill, an additional 105 million euros up to the year 2030 have been proposed to combat energy poverty. A coordination office to combat energy poverty should also be set up, which should present the existing offer transparently, emphasizes the mandatary. Energy suppliers should also increasingly offer free advice, Graf also pointed out that some energy companies are already offering information and advice or even funds for energy-efficient devices as support.
“On the other hand, the SPÖ demands a supplier obligation, which ultimately only means an additional burden for the energy customers, since they also have to indirectly finance the measures. It is obviously easier for the SPÖ to reject government proposals than to reject their own in the interests of our energy consumers. consumers,” says Graf, who hopes that the SPÖ will change her mind. “It is up to the SPÖ that a lawsuit in the millions can be averted with the two-thirds majority required for this matter,” concluded the ÖVP energy spokeswoman. (Ending)
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