According to plan, the electricity price brake would expire in mid-2024. The National Council extended it on Friday until the end of next year. NEOS and FPÖ voted against.
However, the ÖVP, Greens and SPÖ voted in favor. This means that the market price only applies to consumption of more than 2,900 kilowatt hours. Until then, consumers will receive a subsidy of up to 30 cents. In addition, natural gas and electricity taxes will be reduced by approximately 90 percent through the end of 2023.
The turquoise green government only announced the extension on Tuesday. The electricity price cap was decided to support households when electricity prices soared after the attack on Ukraine. The price has now fallen considerably again, but not yet at pre-crisis levels.
Opposition: people pay in their own way
NEOS and FPÖ criticized on Friday that the population actually paid for the brake on the electricity price themselves, because the subsidy was paid for with tax money. The FPÖ spoke of “Voodoo mathematics,” the NEOS of “redistribution from below.” The party criticized the electricity price ceiling that also applies to holiday homes for rich people. Competition is eliminated and there are no incentives to save electricity.
The National Council has also increased the transparency of prices for district heating and district cooling, because E-Control has better control options.
On Friday it was decided, among other things, that the sustainable energy support deduction and the support contribution will be suspended. For so-called innovative photovoltaic systems, e.g. B. building integrated, financing should amount to a maximum of 45 percent of the investment costs in the future. Other photovoltaic systems must be financed with a maximum of 30 percent of the investment costs. This also applies to hydropower, wind energy and biomass systems.
The climate bonus law has been amended
The National Council meeting also decided to amend the Climate Bonus Act to increase the number of bank transfers compared to sending vouchers. To this end, the Chancellery will in the future make data available on people who receive periodic benefits from the federal government.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
