SPD parliamentarian calls for speedy reform of renewable energy levy that includes CO2 pricing scheme

Bernd Westphal, energy policy spokesperson for Germany’s centre-left SPD party, is calling for a speedy reform of the costs related to the country’s Renewable Energy Act (EEG) and electricity levy system, Focus Online writes, citing a report by dpa. Westphal told the news agency that the financing of Germany’s energy transition had to be reasonable and sustainable. "The question of CO₂ pricing cannot be excluded – even if some would like to because of regional elections in southern Germany." The Bavarian conservative CSU party is part of Germany’s grand coalition with the SPD and Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU, and it faces state parliamentary elections in Bavaria in October. A CO₂ pricing scheme could be based on the European Emissions Trading System’s CO₂ price and accompanied by financial relief, such as a reduction in electricity tax, Westphal said.

Read a CLEW interview with Westphal here and a CLEW factsheet on renewables financing here.