EXEMPTIONS
October 1st, 2003
BY KEITH NUTHALL
Utilities may not like this legislation, but EU Commissioner Frits Bolkestein is not keen either. Every Member State has secured a number of detailed exemptions from the minimum rates, prompting the Dutchman to call it a piece of legal (Swiss) Gruyere cheese. Most exemptions cover oil and petrol, but France, Italy, Finland, Sweden have exemptions for some gas uses, for instance. Electricity is not generally covered by the exemptions.
Utilities may not like this legislation, but EU Commissioner Frits Bolkestein is not keen either. Every Member State has secured a number of detailed exemptions from the minimum rates, prompting the Dutchman to call it a piece of legal (Swiss) Gruyere cheese. Most exemptions cover oil and petrol, but France, Italy, Finland, Sweden have exemptions for some gas uses, for instance. Electricity is not generally covered by the exemptions.
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