2023-05-10 14:51:03
ÖVP energy spokeswoman: coordination center to combat energy poverty should be set up
Vienna (OTS) – “The energy efficiency reform law is about the goal of achieving climate neutrality in Austria by 2040; and we want to continue to contribute to the relief. It is also about implementing an EU directive to avoid infringement proceedings,” said today, Wednesday, ÖVP energy spokeswoman Abg. Tanja Graf on the occasion of the meeting of the Committee for Economics, Industry and Energy, in which the Energy Efficiency Reform Act 2023 was passed with a simple majority.
“To support households and companies, an additional federal funding budget of up to 190 million per year is earmarked for energy efficiency measures up to 2030,” says Graf, explaining the government proposal. “It is important that we make buildings and households fitter, so to speak, in order to save energy and thus costs.” Specifically, a proportion of the cumulative final energy savings of at least 250 of the planned 650 petajoules by 2030 should be achieved.
“We want to relieve the burden, but not supplier obligations like the SPÖ, because this measure would inevitably be passed on to the customer. Our goal is to put energy efficiency in the foreground; the consumer should not be burdened any further,” said Graf in the direction of the SPÖ -Energy Speaker’s Schroll. The EU directive also does not provide for a mandatory supplier obligation.
In addition, a coordination office to combat energy poverty is to be set up, which is to present the existing offer transparently, emphasizes the mandatary. Energy suppliers should also increasingly offer free advice, the mandatary also pointed out that some energy companies already offer target group-specific information and advice or funds, for example for energy-efficient devices to support.
The ÖVP energy spokeswoman continued: “I appeal to the SPÖ to agree to the proposals that meet the European requirements and thus to provide the basis for an immediate implementation of the Energy Efficiency Act with the necessary constitutional majority.”
Graf also referred to the inflation-dampening package presented by the government, which also includes measures in the energy sector, such as increasing energy price transparency, in order to help lower energy prices. 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, concluded the energy spokeswoman. (Ending)
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