19 comments so far.EU countries will be pushed to fully apply EU energy rules
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The European Commision has said that all EU countries will be pushed to fully apply EU energy rules so the market works to its full potential for consumers.
EU countries have agreed on common rules for a more competitive energy market, one that offers people and businesses secure and sustainable supplies at fair prices.
These rules are key to overcoming the challenges facing us today, including climate change, over dependence on imports, and access to affordable energy for all.
Some progress has been made. Today, consumers have more choice, wholesale prices are kept in check, and sufficient supplies are being secured to meet our needs.
In other areas countries are falling short. To speed up the process, the Commission will do more to help consumers reap the benefits of a competitive market. Measures to make the internal energy market work include:
ensuring all countries apply all the rules correctly – some do not yet, especially the rules on interconnecting gas and electricity markets
making sure consumers are aware of all their rights, including the right to switch from one supplier to another with 3 weeks’ notice and at no cost – which could represent €13 billion a year in savings for consumers if everyone were paying the cheapest rates
promoting the roll-out of smart metering – which enables consumers to monitor their consumption in real time and better manage their energy bills
clearer presentation of prices, tariffs and offers – protecting vulnerable consumers
removing regulated prices – which give consumers a false impression prices are at the fairest level and which are a barrier to more competition and investment (currently only 9 EU countries do NOT regulate retail prices).
Some countries plan to provide incentives to traditional suppliers so as to keep electricity capacity available for when variable sources (such as wind and solar power) do not produce enough to meet demand.
Before such incentives are introduced, more analysis is needed on the reasons why countries are not investing in increasing their production capacity. National governments should also look at getting supplies from providers in other EU countries, which could be more cost-effective.
The Commission will also issue guidelines on how to improve the market for renewables.
Its also unfair here in Malta that EU citizens have a two tier pricing structure imposed on them (residential rates are the lowest but domestic rates are almost double) which ultimately means we as EU citizens have to jump through hoops to get the considerably lower residential rates. We have to prove we have an id card, and a residency certificate and to get that we have to prove our income and health status. Hardly fair pricing and hardly equality. Further that many EU citizens get caught in the trap of renting from a landlord whose property cant have anything other than a domestic rate applied for utility supplies as its usually their secondary home, or holiday home or specifically a rental home – unfortunately landlords nor estate agents advise of this before a lease contract is signed…..its usually stated in the contract that the bills are the renters responsibility and its is wrongly assumed that these will be the residential rate..which should really be made clear to all parties – unfortunately this isnt the case…….by the time the first bill comes its too late and it can be months before it arrives…leaving quite a big bill to be paid by the unwary and trusting renter, not to mention a nasty taste in the mouth
” We have to prove we have an id card, and a residency certificate and to get that we have to prove our income and health status. Hardly fair pricing and hardly equality. “However, its allowed under EU law – any EU foreigner residing in another EU country can be asked to provide the same (actually its not health status, but health cover/insurance status). This is to make sure you won’t be a burden on the state, which seems perfectly reasonable. All EU foreigners residing in Malta are obliged by law to register their residence in Malta, and in exchange Malta issues a residency certificate, all in accordance with EU law. ARMS then asks to see this residence certificate as evidence of a foreigners residence, which seems reasonable, as thats what it proves.
I wonder how many of the foreigners complaining about having to pay the higher rates have actually got their residency certificate ? I, and plenty of other foreigners I know have got it, and pay the lower rates.
so why arent we asked for that on the buses then….an id card is perfectly acceptable there..as with banks for accounts, as with go and melita for telephony tv and internet,, as with mortgage compnies for loans. but not for utilities – its a scam orchestrated by the government and arms to flout the rules and ultimately make more money out of the EU..and its nationals.
If you have a residency certificate, why not just show it to them ? If you don’t, well, you are supposed to.
http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/worker-pensioner/rights-conditions/index_en.htm
“After 3 months in your new country, you may be required to register with the relevant authority (often the town hall or local police station). ” – Malta requires it.
“When you register, you will get a registration certificate. This certificate confirms your right to live in your new country; it states your name and address and the registration date. “
as an EU national you have a right to freedom of movement and equality – simple as – this is an unnecessary hurdle for all EU nationals….I have an id card with my name and address on it, and everytime I move i change it – that should be more than sufficient as its accepted by everyone else…. why do or should i need another useless piece of paper….just to get the same rates for utilities as the local indiginous population…the same as when they go ot any lther EU member state……all one sided am afraid…. its unnecessary….and a sham….
“as an EU national you have a right to freedom of movement and equality” and the legal obligation in Malta to get a residency certificate. You have a strong moral (although not necessarily legal*) case about the dual pricing, but why mix it up with your refusal to get a residency certificate.
* discrimination based on residency is permitted under EU law under certain circumstances.
” this is an unnecessary hurdle for all EU nationals” – maybe so, but the fact remains Malta (and all EU countries) is legally entitled to demand foreigners living in their country have a residency certificate. You need to take it up with the EU or the Maltese government if you feel that strongly about it, but it has nothing to do with ARMS.
how to contact them please Mark
http://www.mfa.gov.mt/Library/Citizenship%20Forms%20and%20Templates/CEA21-%20EU%20Nationals.pdf
http://www.foreign.gov.mt/default.aspx?mdis=522
Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs
Department,
3 Castille Place,
Valletta VLT 2000.
Tel: 2200 1800 / 2200 1801
Fax: 2200 1830
E-mail: citizenship@gov.mt
“Third country nationals [edit non-EU]
Residence permits are issued to third country nationals who have been authorized to reside in Malta for a specific purpose and only when such persons are in Malta. In this regard such persons are required to submit an appropriate application to the Department for processing. Residence permits are in the form of a sticker affixed in the holder’s passport.
EU nationals
EU nationals have the right to reside in Malta provided they are exercising any of their Treaty rights as Workers, Self-employed persons, economically self-sufficient persons or Students or they have become entitled to permanent residence after five years of continuous residence in Malta.
Family members, who are third country nationals, are entitled to join or accompany EU nationals if the latter are exercising any of the above-mentioned rights.
EU nationals and their family members are issued with residence documentation to confirm their right of residence in Malta.”
“why do or should i need another useless piece of paper….just to get the same rates for utilities as the local indiginous population”
Lets say ARMS have a change of heart and accept ID cards as proof of residence. You still need to get a residency certificate. As it happens, the old ID cards are being withdrawn anyway for foreigners, and replaced with a combined residency certificate/ID card.
the res cert should be withdrawn full stop for EU nationals – its more than sufficient for EU nationals as they have the backup of the passport and a leasing contract or home ownership docs should be more than sufficient to prove you live here. The bigger issue here is that EU nationals are being charged more than double when there indiginous hosts dont when they go to any of the other EU member states…its unfair and currently discriminatory. whether its currently legal or not, it needs to be fought and the battle won./….in whatever arena you wish
“The bigger issue here is that EU nationals are being charged more than double”
1. its not more than double (its about 30% for electricity)
2. its not all EU nationals – many foreigners pay the lower rates
” a leasing contract or home ownership docs ”
neither prove residency – you don’t need to be a resident to either rent or buy property
” when there indiginous hosts dont ”
not true, as you well know, as some members of your class action are locals
I agree with you that the dual pricing for utilities (and for that matter buses) should stop, but making misleading statements weakens your case.
as usual mark you pick the quotes that suit your arguement…
e.g ” when there indiginous hosts dont ”
not true, as you well know, as some members of your class action are locals
this was the correct quote
“when there indiginous hosts dont when they go to any of the other EU member states…its unfair and currently discriminatory”
get it right mark we can all cut and paste…
where did i say ALL…again get it right ” king of cut and paste”- i said EU nationals.
you dont need a residency certificate to prove you live here either or ot get the lower rates…..the rules might say you do but in fact you dont – many people have got the utility bills at the lower rate because they stood their ground and argued their case with proof of tax payments….the whole residency non residency matter is a joke…..
again i didnt say proof of residency – i said to prove you live here….get it right mark please….
yet again wrong mark
“as some members of your class action are locals”
i dont have a class action – many people do or are involved in it but it isnt mine. I support it but i dont have a class action, nor do i have anything to gain by it financially My only gain is to not have to repeatedly prove my resident status every time i move. contrary to mr sean barbaras statement that it isnt required – it still is…as he well knows. or should know.
again here ye go
“its not more than double (its about 30% for electricity)”
you are ONLY quoting electricity – factor in water (remember if its doemestic rated its considerably more) – i have seen bills calculated and charged that represent exactly what i said – even one of mine – until i queried it…..