Macron urges EU to relax fuel standards, delay methane rules to lower energy prices
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French President Emmanuel Macron has written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging immediate measures to lower energy prices. According to reports from BFMTV and other media on October 21, Macron's letter dated October 18 calls for three specific actions: first, relaxing European fuel quality standards to allow refineries to increase production of aviation fuel and diesel by up to 20%; second, permitting distributors to replace B7 diesel (containing 7% biofuel) with B10 diesel (containing 10% biofuel) to boost diesel supply and provide additional profit margins; and third, delaying the implementation of the EU Methane Regulation, adopted in May 2024, by one year from its scheduled January 2025 start. The regulation requires oil and gas importers to strictly control and limit methane emissions, with penalties up to 20% of annual turnover for violations. The Financial Times reports that fossil fuel exporters from the US and Qatar have been lobbying against the regulation, and over 10 EU member states also seek its delay. Macron's letter marks France's first public opposition to the regulation, as the French government faces fiscal deficit pressures limiting options to alleviate high fuel costs for citizens.
Source report
French President Emmanuel Macron has written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for immediate measures such as loosening fuel quality standards to reduce energy costs.
According to reports from BFMTV and other media outlets on 21 March, Macron sent a letter to von der Leyen on 18 March, requesting that the EU:
- Relax European fuel quality standards
- Increase the proportion of biofuels in diesel
- Delay the implementation of the "EU Methane Regulation" by one year
Proposed Measures
Macron hopes the EU will temporarily ease technical standards for oil refineries, enabling them to increase production of aviation fuel and diesel by up to 20%. He also wants the EU to allow distributors to replace B7 diesel—which contains 7% biofuel and is currently the standard blended fuel across Europe—with B10 diesel, which contains 10% biofuel. In Macron's view, this measure would support diesel supply and "provide additional profit margins" for fuel suppliers.
A third measure concerns the "EU Methane Regulation," adopted in May 2024, which aims to control methane emissions from the energy sector. Macron wants the regulation's implementation date, currently set for January next year, to be postponed by another year.
According to the Financial Times, the regulation requires oil and gas importers to strictly control and limit methane emissions, imposing mandatory obligations for measurement and monitoring. Violators could face fines of up to 20% of their annual turnover.
Opposition and Context
Reports indicate that fossil fuel exporters from countries such as the United States and Qatar have been lobbying the EU against implementing the regulation. More than ten EU member states have also called for its postponement.
Macron's letter marks the first time France has publicly opposed the regulation. The Financial Times noted that the French government, constrained by fiscal deficit pressures, has limited options to alleviate the burden of high fuel prices on the public.
Public Response
BFMTV and other media also reported on 21 March that some French citizens, facing high fuel prices, have begun using rapeseed oil as a substitute for diesel. A video showing young people pouring rapeseed oil into a car has garnered over a million views on social media. However, experts warn that this practice could damage car engines and may result in fines for using non-compliant fuel.
Source
新华社Eastern