Bill on enabling a universal service to small enterprises passed the second reading in the Riigikogu
The Bill intended to establish an opportunity for micro and small enterprises to buy electrical energy as a universal service from this November passed the second reading in the Riigikogu today. The Riigikogu also passed the Statement on condemning the annexation of the territory of Ukraine and declaring Russia a terrorist regime.
The Riigikogu passed with 88 votes in favour the Statement of the Riigikogu “On Condemning the Annexation of the Territory of Ukraine and Declaring Russia a Terrorist Regime” (717 AE) submitted by 85 members of the Riigikogu.
In the Statement, the Riigikogu strongly condemns the military actions of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the illegal annexation of the territories conquered during the aggression and declares that Estonia will never recognise the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine through aggressions and sham referendums. “Violation of law can never create law. Putin’s regime with its threats of nuclear attack has turned Russia into the biggest danger to peace both in Europe and in the whole world,” the Statement reads.
Supporting the appeal of the Parliament of Ukraine to countries and international organisations, the Riigikogu declares Russia a terrorist regime and the Russian Federation a country that supports terrorism, whose actions we must confront together.
In the Statement, the Riigikogu calls on the European Union and NATO Member States to decisively increase military aid to Ukraine. It will also be necessary to increase humanitarian aid to Ukraine and to support the country in its post-war reconstruction. “Estonia supports the people, the state, and the army of Ukraine in its war with the aggressor with all the means available and believes in the victory of Ukraine as this is the only way to restore peace in Europe,” the Statement reads. This is the fourth Statement that the Riigikogu has made this year to condemn Russia’s actions and to express support to Ukraine.
During the debate, Mihhail Lotman from Faction Isamaa, Eerik-Niiles Kross from the Reform Party Faction, Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski from the Centre Party Faction, Jaak Juske from the Social Democratic Party Faction and Martin Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction took the floor.
The Bill on Amendments to the Electricity Market Act (680 SE),initiated by the Economic Affairs Committee, passed the second reading at the sitting. It is intended to establish an opportunity for micro and small enterprises to buy electrical energy from a seller of electricity at the price regulated by the Competition Authority, that is, as a universal service from this November to the end of 2023. The Bill is intended to prevent the loss of competitiveness of the enterprises in the target group, and termination of their activities.
According to the Bill, the universal service will be available for consumption to microenterprises, that is, enterprises which employ fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million, and small enterprises, that is, enterprises which employ fewer than 50 persons and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 10 million.
According to the Bill, the possibility to buy electricity as a universal service will also extend to sole proprietors, foundations and non-profit organisations who consume energy to the extent of up to one gigawatt hour in a year. When the consumption volume is used up, the opportunity to buy the universal service will end, and not later than within 10 days after that the seller of electricity will make a proposal to enter into a new electricity contract. If the consumer refuses this and does not enter into a new electricity contract or choose another seller of electricity, the seller of electricity will sell electricity to the consumer at the hourly price on the electricity exchange.
Household consumers will be transferred to the universal service automatically if they do not wish to refuse the offer. However, according to the Bill, enterprises will have to inform the seller of electricity of their wish to transfer to the universal service or will have to express their consent to an offer by the seller.
During the debate, Rene Kokk from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, Kristen Michal from the Reform Party Faction, Aivar Kokk from Faction Isamaa and Jaak Aab from the Centre Party Faction took the floor.
Due to the end of its working hours, the Riigikogu did not deliberate today the Bill on Amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure and Other Acts (implementation of the Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 on jurisdiction, the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, and on international child abduction (recast)) (622 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic (622 SE), initiated by the Government. The second reading of this Bill is deferred to the agenda for Wednesday’s sitting.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
Photos (Author: (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel. (Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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