Energy crisis: several federations denounce government aid that forgets thousands of families

If all these associations welcome the effort of the public authorities to support the purchasing power of households, they do not understand, in fact, the exclusion from this device of families heating with propane gas in tanks.

Butane, propane and biopropane gases supply 25.000 municipalities not connected to the gas network, i.e. 600.000 families living in rural areas. Excluded from government announcements, these households also do not benefit from the price shield applicable to natural gas. However, with the approach of winter, we must not forget any cleaning and take advantage of all the energies.

Liquid gases and biogas already allow 11 million consumers to cook, heat or produce. Not supporting households that have already made the choice of this energy transition when their purchasing power is also impacted would be a harmful choice for rural families.

Surprising from a social point of view, the exclusion of LPG is just as surprising from an ecological point of view. Compared to fuel oil, propane emits -20% CO2 and biopropane - 77% CO2. Unlike wood, the combustion of propane and biopropane does not generate any harmful particle emissions.

In a deteriorated climate and social context, the targeting of aid must favor solutions capable of reconciling energy transition and support for the purchasing power of the most modest. Parliamentarians having enabled, during the debates on the PLFR for 2022, the adoption of an amendment intended to help households using energy at the unregulated rate, it should therefore be possible for the government to announce exceptional aid to users of all energies not covered by regulated tariffs, and not just fuel oil.

Liquid gases and biogas are part of this and must be immediately integrated into the new aid system announced by the government.

On the eve of the Gas Congress which will host the XX Ministers, the subject of equitable support for household purchasing power in the energy crisis remains in the foreground.

For Audrey Galland, Managing Director of France Gaz Liquides: "In the period of energy crisis that we are experiencing, liquid gases represent an excellent alternative due to a secure supply and a logistics and distribution capacity throughout France, including outside mainland France or in the most remote areas. , thus making it possible to support energy stocks this winter.”

For Thierry Chapuis, General Delegate of the French Gas Association: “France has significant assets to succeed in reconciling energy transition and social inclusion. Liquid gas and biogas, which supply households far from the natural gas network, is one of them. The mobilization of public authorities to support the purchasing power of the French cannot exclude them, at a time when 22,5% of the inhabitants of rural areas are threatened with poverty or exclusion. »

For Emmanuelle Cosse, President of the Social Union for Housing: “The HLM movement has always defended the diversity of solutions and the fair treatment of our fellow citizens in the face of the energy load. In the midst of a crisis, the economic penalization of certain households, particularly in rural areas, is not an option. »

For Bernard Aulagne, President of Coénove: "In this period of drift in the prices of all energies and the need for national solidarity, in particular in rural areas, for Coénove, attached to the complementarity of all energies, the exclusion of households heating with gas and liquid biogas is incomprehensible and sends the wrong signal. »

For Philippe Sueur, President of the National Association of Elected Tourist Territories: “In France, a number of households are far from the natural gas network, particularly in rural areas or small isolated tourist resorts. They use gas and liquid biogas. In the current context of the energy crisis, it is imperative that the Public Authorities involve them in their mobilization to support purchasing power. »