To prevent electricity and gas bills from increasing further in July and at the same time help businesses stock up on methane for the winter, the government launched on Wednesday evening a new decree from 3,2 billion euros. There are three main changes: solidarity contribution paid by companies that sell methane; cut in VAT on gas associated with an extension of the stop to system charges on electricity; extension of Sace guarantees to favor storage by operators. Finally, the government has also extended the cut in excise duties on petrol and diesel, whose prices now steadily exceed two euros per litre. Let's see in detail the content of the new measures.
1) Solidarity contribution
Companies active in the methane sector will have to pay it only if they are able to sell gas above a certain price threshold, which will be set by the Authority. The new solidarity contribution should not be confused with the extra profit tax, which is already in place. Meanwhile, today in Brussels an agreement is being sought on the gas price ceiling on international markets, one proposal put forward by Mario Draghi.
2) Aid for electricity and gas bills
The 3,2 billion allocated with the decree will serve to cut VAT on gas, reducing it to 5%, and to further freeze system charges on the electricity bill.
3) Increase storage for the winter
Considered Russia's cutting off supplies, Italy needs to considerably increase its gas stocks for next winter. To this end, the State has decided to extend the guarantees offered by Sace to operators who purchase gas and store it. In particular, until 31 December the public company for credit insurance will provide financial guarantees "to companies that carry out gas storage in Italy".
4) The cut of excise duties on petrol and diesel
Finally, the government announced that with a subsequent ministerial decree the cut in excise duties for petrol and diesel will be extended until 5 August: 25 cents less than 30 at the petrol station. The cut currently in force expires on 8 July.
