relief for consumers
Traffic light is considering phasing out the EEG surcharge
01/21/2022, 04:35 am
From 2023, consumers should no longer pay for the EEG surcharge. But against the background of rising energy costs, the governing parties are considering bringing forward the reform. According to the FDP, the coalition partners want to discuss the issue in the coming weeks.
In view of rising energy costs, the willingness to relieve consumers more quickly is increasing in the traffic light coalition. It is right to get the first measures off the ground as soon as possible and to abolish the EEG surcharge for electricity customers earlier than planned, said FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr of the dpa. “The traffic light partners will discuss this in the next few weeks.”
Previously, SPD faction leader Rolf Mützenich had brought forward the reform planned for 2023. “The high tax burden and rising inflation are increasingly becoming a problem for consumers,” Dürr explained the considerations. FDP parliamentary group leader Lukas Köhler said: “In the current tense situation, the abolition of the EEG surcharge would represent quick and unbureaucratic help that would reach people and companies directly.”
Mützenich reported on Thursday that the federal government and the coalition factions were talking about granting certain relief earlier because of the high energy prices. In addition to the EEG surcharge, he also cited targeted aid as examples. This could be the announced climate money, a direct grant to households.
The Greens parliamentary group Vice-President Lisa Paus told the dpa: “The rising prices of fossil energy are a massive problem. They affect millions of people in Germany. this also includes the abolition of the EEG surcharge.”
Köhler said: “We in the traffic light coalition are determined not to leave people alone with the problem of rising energy costs.” Finance Minister Christian Lindner has already promised the necessary funds to relieve housing benefit recipients with a heating cost subsidy. With the abolition of the EEG surcharge, billions in relief will then follow for all households and especially for medium-sized companies.
The SPD, Greens and FDP actually planned this reform for January 1, 2023. Then the multi-billion dollar surcharge for the promotion of green electricity should no longer be paid via the consumer’s electricity bill, but from the federal budget. According to Economics Minister Robert Habeck, this would save an average household around 300 euros per year.
“However, if there is room for maneuver, I think it is conceivable to take this step forward,” said Köhler. “We want to pay back the income from the rising CO2 price to every single citizen with a flat-rate climate money. Low-income households will benefit disproportionately from this. Right at the beginning of the legislative period, we are taking important steps towards the goal of a socially structured climate policy with affordable energy prices.”