Activities of Ashley FOX related to 2015/2323(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Delivering a new deal for energy consumers - Tackling energy poverty as part of the Energy Union (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on delivering a new deal for energy consumers PDF (311 KB) DOC (119 KB)
Amendments (23)
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that the ongoing energy transition is resulting in a move away from a centralised, inflexible, fossil fuel-based energy system to one which is more decentralised, flexible and renewables- basedlow carbon;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that, as a general principle, the energy transition should result in a more competitive, decentralised and democraticliberalised energy system which benefits society as a whole, increases competition in order to keeps prices down, drive innovation and improve customer service, increases the involvement of citizens and local communities, and rempowers them to own or share in theoves barriers to innovative new business models entering the market that can offer good value for consumers, including citizen and community ownership of the production, distribution and storage of energy, while at the same time protecting the most vulnerable;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that while significant progress has been made in some parts of the EU, the aim of the Third Energy Package to provide a truly competitive and consumer-friendly retail energy market has not yet been fully realised in all EU Member States, as evidenced by low levels of consumer switching and satisfaction across the EU, persistent high levels of market concentration, and the failure to reflect falling wholesale costs in retail prices;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – introductory part
Paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to rigorously ensure full implementation of the Third Energy Package, and calls for its revision to take account of the following recommendations in relation to domestic consumers:
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a
Paragraph 6 – point a
a. Recommends iImproving the transparency and clarity of bills, which should include information on the final price, with an explanation of the different taxes, levies and tariffs, together with information on the different energy sources so that customers have the key information in a standardised format to anid complaint handlingarison of tariffs, clear indication of contact points, and information on switching and energy efficiency measures; insists that clear language must be used, with technical terms either avoided or clearly explainedusing clear language, and avoiding technical terms; requests the Commission to identify minimum standards in this respect;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point b
Paragraph 6 – point b
b. Recommends tThat consideration be given to requiring energy bills to include comparisons of offers in order to enable all consumers, even those without internet access or skills, to see whether they could save money by switching; believes that peer-based comparisons should also be included in bills to help reduce energy use;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point c
Paragraph 6 – point c
c. Recommends dDeveloping rulguidelines for price comparison toolsites to ensure that consumers can access independent, up-to-date and, understandable and comparison toolsable data; believes Member States should consider developing accreditation schemes covering all price comparison toolsites, in line with CEER guidelines;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point d
Paragraph 6 – point d
d. Recommends that there should be a limited range of standardised tariffs, in order to facilitate comparison between different suppliers and tariffs and avoid a confusing array of different tariffs for the same product;eleted
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point e
Paragraph 6 – point e
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point f
Paragraph 6 – point f
f. Recommends measures to enable retail prices to better reflect wholesale prices and thus reverse the trend of an increasing proportion of fixed elements in energy bills, in particular network charges, taxes and levies, which are often regressivInvestigating how retail prices can be enabled to better reflect wholesale prices, whilst recognising that in a competitive market suppliers should be elements; recommends that such elements be applied progressively or, where, possible funded from alternative sourceft to compete on the best way to recover their costs;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Insists that the provisions on switching, as set out in the Third Energy Package, should be fully implemented by Member States, and that national legislation must guarantee consumers the right to change suppliers in a quick, easy and cost-free way, with no termination fees or penaltiehile respecting contractual conditions;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that local authorities, communities and individuals should form the backbone ofwill be increasingly important actors in the energy transition and should be actively supported to help them become energy producers and suppliers, provided that they choose to do so, on an equal footing with other players;
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that access to capital, high upfront investment costs and long repayment periods represent barriers to the take-up of self-generation and energy efficiency measures; calls, therefore, for the development of new business models and innovative financial instruments to incentivise self-generation, consumption and energy efficiency for all consumers; suggests that this should become a priority for the EIB, EFSI and the Structural Funds;
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for stable and sufficient market orientated remuneration schemes to guarantee investor certainty and increase the take-up of small-scale renewable energy; believes that grid tariffs and other fees should be non-discriminatory and should fairly reflect the impact of the consumer on the grid, while guaranteeing sufficient funding for the maintenance and development of distribution grids; regretshighlights the importance of well-designed and future proof support schemes that reduce the need for corrective changes and thus create investor certainty and value for money for taxpayers; regrets however the recent abrupt changes to support schemes in certain Member States, as well as the introduction of unfair and punitive taxes or fees which are detrimental to the continued expansion of self-generation;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Believes that consumers should have easy and timely access to their consumption data in both volume and monetary terms, to help them make informed decisions; believes that where smart meters are rolled out there should be a solidclear legal framework to ensure an end to back-billingminimise the occurrence and impact of back-bills in situations where the consumer is not at fault and a rollout that is efficient and affordable for all consumers and is free of charge for, including the energy- poor consumers; insists that efficiency savings from smart meters should be shared on a fair basis between grid operators and users;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Emphasises that the development of smart technologies must not leave the most vulnerable or less engaged consumers behind, nor see their bills rise if they have not directly benefited;
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. BelievUnderlines that the processing and storage of citizens’ energy-related data should be managed by neutral entities and should comply with the existing EU legislation, which lays down that the ownership of all data lies with the citizen and that data should only be provided to third parties by explicit consent; considers that, in addition, citizens should be able to exercise their rights to correct and erase informin compliance with EU data protection legislation;
Amendment 371 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Addressing the causes of energy poverty
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for the development of a strong EU framework to fight energy poverty, including a broad, common but non- quantitative definition of energy poverty, focusing on the idea that access to affordable energy is a basic social right; urges the Commission to prioritise meaBelieves that the exchange of best practice amongst Member States has a vital role to play in the fight against energy poverty; calls on the Commission to assist Member States in their efforts, including developing a broad, non- quantitative and non-legislative definition of energy poverty, focusing on the idea that energy is a necessity regardless of income; urges further national action to ensures to alleviate energy poverty in upcoming legislative proposals and to present a dedicated action plan by mid- 2017hat lower income households are not disadvantaged in meeting energy needs;
Amendment 396 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
Amendment 425 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for the revised EED to include a provision for a significant minimum percentage of measures in energy efficiency obligation schemes targeting low-income consumermaintain the flexibility for Member States to design their energy efficiency obligation schemes according to their specific circumstances and objectives;
Amendment 443 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Believes that well-targeted social tariffs are vital forone among many potentially effective tools for supporting low-income, vulnerable citizens, and should therefore be promotconsidered;