European Union Agrees to Limit Gas Use This Winter to Avoid Shortages
2022-07-27
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1European Union governments agreed Tuesday to ration natural gas this winter.
2The move is meant to prevent severe shortages in the future.
3The agreement came after less than one week of talks.
4EU officials hope rationing gas in the winter will protect Europe against further supply cuts by Russia as it continues its invasion of Ukraine.
5EU energy officials approved a draft European law meant to lower demand for gas by 15 percent from August through March.
6The new law includes voluntary national measures to reduce gas use.
7But if the voluntary measures do not ease supplies enough, there will be required measures for the 27-country group.
8European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that "the EU has taken a decisive step to face down the threat of a full gas disruption by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."
9On Monday, Russian energy company Gazprom said it would limit supplies to the EU through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to 20 percent of the normal amount.
10There are fears the Russian president will continue to use the gas trade against the EU for its opposition to the war in Ukraine.
11"The winter is coming and we don't know how cold it will be," said Czech Industry Minister Jozef Sikela, whose policy responsibilities include energy.
12He said he believes Russia will continue to use gas to try to influence Europe.
13The EU reached the agreement in less than one week.
14It is based on a proposal from the European Commission, the EU's executive arm.
15The commission said the rationing would permit the group to get through the winter if Russia stops all gas supplies.
16Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
17Western countries reacted with economic sanctions.
18Since then, 12 EU countries have faced stops to, or reductions in, Russian gas supplies.
19The EU has agreed to ban oil and coal from Russia starting later this year.
20But it has not sanctioned Russian natural gas.
21That is because Germany, Italy and several other member states depend on Russia's supply.
22Problems between Russia and the EU are fueling inflation, which is already at record high levels in Europe and may start a recession there.
23The energy supply shortage is also testing European cooperation over policy.
24The EU has gained power over things like monetary, trade, and farm policies.
25But individual countries make their own decisions on energy.
26For example, the energy ministers removed a requirement in the draft law that would have given the European Commission more power.
27The commission had wanted the power to decide on any voluntary or required action.
28Instead, officials made sure any decision on required steps will be in the hands of national governments.
29I'm Ashley Thompson.
1European Union governments agreed Tuesday to ration natural gas this winter. 2The move is meant to prevent severe shortages in the future. The agreement came after less than one week of talks. 3EU officials hope rationing gas in the winter will protect Europe against further supply cuts by Russia as it continues its invasion of Ukraine. 4EU energy officials approved a draft European law meant to lower demand for gas by 15 percent from August through March. The new law includes voluntary national measures to reduce gas use. But if the voluntary measures do not ease supplies enough, there will be required measures for the 27-country group. 5European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that "the EU has taken a decisive step to face down the threat of a full gas disruption by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin." 6On Monday, Russian energy company Gazprom said it would limit supplies to the EU through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to 20 percent of the normal amount. There are fears the Russian president will continue to use the gas trade against the EU for its opposition to the war in Ukraine. 7"The winter is coming and we don't know how cold it will be," said Czech Industry Minister Jozef Sikela, whose policy responsibilities include energy. He said he believes Russia will continue to use gas to try to influence Europe. 8The EU reached the agreement in less than one week. It is based on a proposal from the European Commission, the EU's executive arm. The commission said the rationing would permit the group to get through the winter if Russia stops all gas supplies. 9Russia invaded Ukraine in February. Western countries reacted with economic sanctions. Since then, 12 EU countries have faced stops to, or reductions in, Russian gas supplies. 10The EU has agreed to ban oil and coal from Russia starting later this year. But it has not sanctioned Russian natural gas. That is because Germany, Italy and several other member states depend on Russia's supply. 11Problems between Russia and the EU are fueling inflation, which is already at record high levels in Europe and may start a recession there. 12The energy supply shortage is also testing European cooperation over policy. The EU has gained power over things like monetary, trade, and farm policies. But individual countries make their own decisions on energy. 13For example, the energy ministers removed a requirement in the draft law that would have given the European Commission more power. The commission had wanted the power to decide on any voluntary or required action. Instead, officials made sure any decision on required steps will be in the hands of national governments. 14I'm Ashley Thompson. 15Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press. 16_______________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18ration - v. to control the amount of a product that people can have when there is not enough of it 19draft -n. a version of a document that is made in preparation for the final version 20decisive - adj. able to make choices quickly and confidently 21sanction - n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country 22________________________________________________ 23We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 24Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.