MP Alma Dufour's bill debated in the Assembly

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It's a small victory for Alma Dufour, the deputy for the 4th constituency of Seine-Maritime. On Wednesday November 20, 2024, the finance committee of theNational Assembly adopted the bill of which she is the rapporteur and which aims to regulate energy prices.

On Thursday, November 28, 2024, this text will be debated by the deputies, in the hemicycle. Alma Dufour (NFP/LFI) deciphers the main elements and issues.

In what context does this bill fit in for French households?

On theelectricitywe are in a context where bills have increased 45% in three years, 60% since 2019 and more than 100% since 2017. We are really on the verge of essential product which has increased the most in recent years.

On the gazwe remain at levels which are those of the crisis: it has almost doubled from 2020 and now it is stagnating. On theessenceit's a little better. We reached a much higher peak in 2022.

However, these remain structurally much higher levels than those of gasoline at the time of the yellow vest crisis. These energy products increase with each crisis, but afterward they don’t go back down!

Market prices, when they rise, are passed on directly to the consumer, but when market prices fall, we do not see prices drop as much on bills or at the pump.

So your bill is to set a cap on these energy prices?

Basically, the project is tocontrol these priceswith different methods depending on the type of energy. For example, for gas and oil, which we import, we have room to maneuver on market prices.

For electricity, we can go further, because we produce a lot of it and we are in a strong position on this subject at European level. We are completely proposing to return to the cost of productionwith a small normal capital margin for EDF.

What are the prices recommended in this bill?

In Article 1, we suggest to the government a temporary freeze on the price of gasoline. It is a blockage which is very strong on the economy, but temporary, because we cannot impose for ten years on oil companies to sell gasoline at €1.49 per liter.

Target prices were suggested, by decree. On electricity, we are able to give a permanent price. The production cost, in France, is €70 per Megawatt hour (MWh) including a margin. Including the taxes, which we do not touch, this would make a final total price of €141 per megawatt hour, compared to 251 today.

Why is this validation of the text by the Finance Committee a first victory?

Because it's supposed to presuppose votes in session. But I still warn of the fact that there have been damaging divisions within the NFP, because the Socialist Party has decided to abstain. Obviously, what we are proposing is contrary to European law, it is no mystery. But I'm going to be very clear: we don't care!

We do not want to stop exporting electricity to our neighbors, we are not proposing to exit the market, but we are proposing that there be one price for the French and another for exports. If it amuses them to continue paying for electricity three times its production price, too bad for them.

In this case, would France take sanctions?

Potentially, we could go as far as a sanction. But it would remain low compared to the amount of profits. The Court of Auditors says that the tariff shield was a disaster. It's not up to the French to pay for that!

I therefore call on the Socialist Party to move away from very legal considerations and to take stock of the political issues that are emerging before us. We must give ourselves the means to protect the French.

What are the chances of passing the National Assembly stage for this bill?

There are real chances, because I trust the NFP, which will understand what is at stake and will go our way. To expand? The National Rally is for it. Mathematically, we are in the majority.

Afterwards, we must not give people false hope: it will be more difficult in the Senate, which is increasingly liberal on the right and which understands nothing about this subject!

So you are afraid that the Senate will empty the text of its substance?

That goes back and forth… If the National Assembly has the last word on third reading, I don't worry: it passes. If this is not the case, because we don't have the government, it could last forever!

If this project were adopted as is, when could we see these prices applied?

If there was a compliant adoption in the Senate and everyone was pulling in the same direction, I would say that it could be adopted in February. If we take the unfortunate timetable imposed on Philippe Brun (MP for Eure, already on a question of energy costs, Editor's note), I would say one year, for next winter.

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