An ETF quick response to the EC ‘AccelerateEU’ communication
The opening line of the EC communication reads: “For the second time in less than five years, the dangers of Europe’s dependency on fossil fuel imports are becoming abundantly clear.”
The ETF couldn’t agree more. However, the AccelerateEU communication appears to be yet another example of the EC having learned too little, too late from the previous energy crisis, particularly as far as EU transport policy is concerned.
Here are a few highlights of the EC communication that the ETF can hardly ignore:
• The EC intends to adopt a temporary state-aid framework, “outlining provisions for Member States to develop and implement targeted, temporary emergency measures to support some of the economic sectors most exposed to price spikes.”
• The EC acknowledges that public money is needed — but primarily as a means to attract private investment.
• The EC also recognises that, to alleviate rising energy prices, “immediate support is needed, but it must be targeted, timely and temporary, and tied to long-term solutions.” To this end, it suggests in the Annex a number of measures to provide immediate relief in transport, including reducing the price of public transport, promoting rail passenger and freight services, and providing public support for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles, including in corporate fleets. (....)