“In Europe, we should have only one priority,” De Croix told a news conference. “Only at the European level will we be able to reduce prices.” He added: “Only the European Union can stop the bleeding.” Belgium is the latest EU country to introduce reforms to cap prices at national level, and EU energy ministers are due to meet on September 9 to discuss solutions at European level. Since Russia launched the war in Ukraine, the Belgian prime minister has been a staunch supporter of introducing an EU-wide gas price cap, warning last week that “the next five to 10 winters will be difficult”. De Croo’s government plans to impose windfall taxes on energy producers. While the tax would initially target the nuclear sector, a task force will look at other energy producers, but De Croo did not specify which ones. Spain, Italy, Romania and Greece have already implemented similar measures and the idea is also gaining ground in Germany. Belgium will also reduce energy use in public buildings, requiring, for example, to reduce the use of air conditioning and increase heating to only 19 degrees Celsius. Lighting in public buildings will be switched off from 7pm to 6am The government is also in discussions with the financial sector about a possible moratorium on mortgage payments for households hardest hit by rising prices, and will work with employers’ federations to find solutions for businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Belgium plans to extend other energy measures currently in place until the end of March 2023, such as a social tariff for low-income families. 6 percent VAT on electricity, natural gas and heat; and a reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel. “I will remain in contact with the European Commission so that these measures are taken,” De Croo said. “Europe must show that it is capable of protecting its citizens, protecting its companies.”

title: “Belgium Pm Tells Eu To Stop The Bleeding Of Energy Prices As Country Unveils New Measures Politico Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-29” author: “Anne Driggers”

“In Europe, we should have only one priority,” De Croix told a news conference. “Only at the European level will we be able to reduce prices.” He added: “Only the European Union can stop the bleeding.” Belgium is the latest EU country to introduce reforms to cap prices at national level, and EU energy ministers are due to meet on September 9 to discuss solutions at European level. Since Russia launched the war in Ukraine, the Belgian prime minister has been a staunch supporter of introducing an EU-wide gas price cap, warning last week that “the next five to 10 winters will be difficult”. De Croo’s government plans to impose windfall taxes on energy producers. While the tax would initially target the nuclear sector, a task force will look at other energy producers, but De Croo did not specify which ones. Spain, Italy, Romania and Greece have already implemented similar measures and the idea is also gaining ground in Germany. Belgium will also reduce energy use in public buildings, requiring, for example, to reduce the use of air conditioning and increase heating to only 19 degrees Celsius. Lighting in public buildings will be switched off from 7pm to 6am The government is also in discussions with the financial sector about a possible moratorium on mortgage payments for households hardest hit by rising prices, and will work with employers’ federations to find solutions for businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Belgium plans to extend other energy measures currently in place until the end of March 2023, such as a social tariff for low-income families. 6 percent VAT on electricity, natural gas and heat; and a reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel. “I will remain in contact with the European Commission so that these measures are taken,” De Croo said. “Europe must show that it is capable of protecting its citizens, protecting its companies.”

title: “Belgium Pm Tells Eu To Stop The Bleeding Of Energy Prices As Country Unveils New Measures Politico Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-22” author: “Dwayne Carmody”

“In Europe, we should have only one priority,” De Croix told a news conference. “Only at the European level will we be able to reduce prices.” He added: “Only the European Union can stop the bleeding.” Belgium is the latest EU country to introduce reforms to cap prices at national level, and EU energy ministers are due to meet on September 9 to discuss solutions at European level. Since Russia launched the war in Ukraine, the Belgian prime minister has been a staunch supporter of introducing an EU-wide gas price cap, warning last week that “the next five to 10 winters will be difficult”. De Croo’s government plans to impose windfall taxes on energy producers. While the tax would initially target the nuclear sector, a task force will look at other energy producers, but De Croo did not specify which ones. Spain, Italy, Romania and Greece have already implemented similar measures and the idea is also gaining ground in Germany. Belgium will also reduce energy use in public buildings, requiring, for example, to reduce the use of air conditioning and increase heating to only 19 degrees Celsius. Lighting in public buildings will be switched off from 7pm to 6am The government is also in discussions with the financial sector about a possible moratorium on mortgage payments for households hardest hit by rising prices, and will work with employers’ federations to find solutions for businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Belgium plans to extend other energy measures currently in place until the end of March 2023, such as a social tariff for low-income families. 6 percent VAT on electricity, natural gas and heat; and a reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel. “I will remain in contact with the European Commission so that these measures are taken,” De Croo said. “Europe must show that it is capable of protecting its citizens, protecting its companies.”

title: “Belgium Pm Tells Eu To Stop The Bleeding Of Energy Prices As Country Unveils New Measures Politico Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-06” author: “Martin Anderson”

“In Europe, we should have only one priority,” De Croix told a news conference. “Only at the European level will we be able to reduce prices.” He added: “Only the European Union can stop the bleeding.” Belgium is the latest EU country to introduce reforms to cap prices at national level, and EU energy ministers are due to meet on September 9 to discuss solutions at European level. Since Russia launched the war in Ukraine, the Belgian prime minister has been a staunch supporter of introducing an EU-wide gas price cap, warning last week that “the next five to 10 winters will be difficult”. De Croo’s government plans to impose windfall taxes on energy producers. While the tax would initially target the nuclear sector, a task force will look at other energy producers, but De Croo did not specify which ones. Spain, Italy, Romania and Greece have already implemented similar measures and the idea is also gaining ground in Germany. Belgium will also reduce energy use in public buildings, requiring, for example, to reduce the use of air conditioning and increase heating to only 19 degrees Celsius. Lighting in public buildings will be switched off from 7pm to 6am The government is also in discussions with the financial sector about a possible moratorium on mortgage payments for households hardest hit by rising prices, and will work with employers’ federations to find solutions for businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Belgium plans to extend other energy measures currently in place until the end of March 2023, such as a social tariff for low-income families. 6 percent VAT on electricity, natural gas and heat; and a reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel. “I will remain in contact with the European Commission so that these measures are taken,” De Croo said. “Europe must show that it is capable of protecting its citizens, protecting its companies.”