Russian Energy Ministry blasts Econ Ministry’s greenhouse gas tax

MOSCOW, Oct 17 (PRIME) -- A draft of the Russian Economic Development Ministry on greenhouse gases must be revised to exclude the idea of a hydrocarbon emissions tax, an Energy Ministry spokesperson told PRIME on Thursday.

CEO of nuclear power corporation Rusnano Anatoly Chubais said earlier that Russia needed to introduce a tax on hydrocarbon emissions to stimulate industrial companies to reduce the emissions. News daily Izvestiya reported that the idea appeared in a draft law submitted by the Economic Development Ministry, and was not supported by the Federation Council, parliament’s supreme chamber.

“The use of the regulative measures offered by the draft can hurt dynamics of socio economic development of the Russian Federation, including creation of preconditions for… higher prices for products of the key industries-emitters of greenhouse gases -- electric power, thermal power, -- which are state-controlled,” the spokesperson said.

“In the opinion of the Energy Ministry, a revision of the draft is necessary, excluding at this stage the mechanisms of regulation, such as introduction of targets for greenhouse gas emissions for companies and self-employed entrepreneurs, and a fee for emission of greenhouse gases.”

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