Germany Set to Cut Rebates for Companies That Generate Own Power

Germany is set to reduce the number of companies being exempted from an environmental levy to appease European Union competition concerns and spread the costs of clean energy more fairly, a senior coalition lawmaker said.

While companies that fire generators with their own gas byproducts, such as BASF SE and steelmakers, should pay a reduced EEG-Umlage levy as they’re vital to the economy, others “abuse” the rule and should pay in full, said Hubertus Heil, energy policy spokesman for the Social Democrats.