Information on the Law of 16 August 2022 on purchasing power

Laws and Policies

CCLW

CCLW national policies

Law of 16 August 2022 on purchasing power

Promulgated

This law aims at enhancing the protection of household living standards, consumer protection and energy sovereignty.&nbsp;<br><br>Climate-related norms in the law include:&nbsp;</div><ul><li>On biogas. A national biogas portal is instituted. In the Energy Code, is inserted a sentence worded as follows: "In order to strengthen this security of supply of natural gas, it identifies the support measures necessary to accelerate and develop projects for the production of biogas and any other form of gas renewable sources, in particular those from agricultural methanisation, ensuring that there is no conflict of use with land and agricultural prices."</li><li>On luminous advertising. In the event of a threat to the security of electricity supply, without compromising the objectives of public security and national defense as well as the safety of sensitive installations and works, the Minister responsible for energy may prohibit any illuminated advertising, any advertising supporting posters illuminated by projection or transparency or any digital advertising in built-up areas and outside built-up areas, on roads open to public traffic as well as in airports, train and bus stations and public transport stations and stops. This article also applies to advertisements located inside premises when their location makes them visible from the public thoroughfare.</li><li>The Constitutional Council has challenged an article which aimed to legalise the use of used cooking oil as fuel for private cars.</li></ul><div><br></div><div>The law was validated by the Constitutionnal Council on August 12, 2022. In its decision the Council ruled that the installation of a floating LNG carrier is likely to harm the environment and that it contravenes the Environmental Charter. The Council however validates this installation in a context of difficult gas supply threatening the independence of the nation. It is in this context that the Constitutional Council matches its decision with a reservation of interpretation. According to this reservation, the preservation of the environment must be sought in the same way as the other fundamental interests of the nation. Choices that contravene Article 1 of the Environmental Charter can only be applied in the event of a serious threat to the gas supply. The same reservation applies to Article 36 of the text voted by Parliament, which authorizes raising the ceiling for greenhouse gas emissions from certain thermal power stations operating with fossil fuels.