MEPs To Vote On Package Including Russia Gas Ban Measure

MEPs will vote later on 11 April on the the 'internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen' package spearheaded by former Polish PM Jerzy Buzek that includes measures that would allow EU member states on a country-by-country basis to ban Russian and Belarusian firms from purchasing capacity in their gas pipelines or at their LNG terminals.

• Offshore Technology reportedin Dec 2023, "There are hopes the proposal will provide a legal basis for EU-based energy companies to terminate contracts with Russian companies without having to pay large compensation fees. Member states would be allowed to “partially or, where justified, completely limit” access to infrastructure to gas operators from Russia and Belarus “where necessary to protect their essential security interests”, according to the draft legislation."
• Amid an initiative from a small group of MEPs to push for a full ban on Russian energy in the EU, Euractiv reports regarding the measure set to be voted on today that, "When the law enters into force, which could be as early as mid-2024, it would be up to each EU country to make this decision – although countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria remain unable or unwilling to cut Russian gas flows."
• Voting in the plenary session starts at 1100CET (0500ET, 1000BST) and is expected to last around 70 mins. Livestream here.