French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the European Commission to delay implementation of the new methane reporting rules for oil and gas importers, noting that it could result in legal hurdles for the latter amid tighter energy supplies, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.
The reports cited a letter written by Macron to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday. In it, Macron urged the EU to temporarily ease fuel quality rules and said the move could increase European kerosene and diesel production by 5% to 20% amid rising supply pressures, Reuters reported.
The new EU rules, due to be implemented from Jan. 1, call for monitoring and verification of methane emissions for fuel deliveries to the bloc to curb greenhouse gas emissions and proposes to fine companies for any violations.
Macron has requested implementation of the rules to be delayed by a year to Jan. 1, 2028. Germany, among many other EU members, have already asked for the postponement of the rules, the Reuters report said.
The French president's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from.