EU, measures to counter the 'expensive bills' are underway. Aid for citizens and businesses

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October 13, 2021 The European Commission has presented a series of proposals to help protect households and businesses from rapidly

. The goal is to provide member states with effective tools that do not violate the strict competition rules of the European Union. Several Member States have already taken action at national level to protect households against excessively high electricity and gas bills. 

Among the immediate measures to protect consumers and businesses that the Commission presented in its 'toolbox' to cope with rising energy prices, there is the possibility for States to

. It is also proposed to provide emergency income support for energy-poor consumers, for example through

or

, which can be supported with Ets dues revenue.

Put in place safeguards to avoid disconnections from the network; provide

and targeted

in tax rates for

vulnerable

families

and aid to companies or industries, in line with EU state aid rules; improving the international diffusion of energy to ensure transparency, liquidity and flexibility of international markets are other proposals for immediate implementation included in the EU toolbox. 

At the same time, it is recommended to investigate possible anti-competitive behavior in the energy market and to ask the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to further strengthen the monitoring of developments in the carbon market. In addition, wider access to

should be facilitated

and supported through accompanying measures. 

"More targeted support measures can be used to

adapt quickly and participate fully in the energy transition. Compliance with state aid rules and international subsidy rules will ensure

that such measures do not unduly distort competition or lead to a fragmentation of the internal market ", explains the Brussels executive.

" Aid interventions must be

and non-discriminatory for companies in a similar situation.

Furthermore, they must not compromise the efficiency of existing market-based mechanisms (including EU Ets) be aligned with the general decarbonisation objectives and those contained in the national energy and climate plans ", are the conditions set by Brussels. .