Christophe Bouillon, president of the Association of small towns in France (APVF) and mayor of Barentin (Seine-Maritime) called on Tuesday March 29 on franceinfo for the government to put in place “an energy shield” and “a freeze on gas prices” for municipalities that are unable to cope with the increase in energy prices. While GRDF, the French network manager, is preparing for a disaster scenario in the event that Vladimir Putin considers no longer supplying gas to Europe, Christophe Bouillon believes that the increase in taxation could be a recourse for mayors.
franceinfo: Are the municipalities of France suffering from the increase in the price of gas?
Christopher Bouillon: This has a very significant impact. We have to live today, to undergo dizzying increases in energy and which lead local authorities, municipalities, to take decisions that are sometimes fraught with consequences: here, turning off the heating in schools, there, the closing of public facilities. I have the example in mind of municipalities which close their swimming pools for example or even the abandonment of a certain number of services to the population, for example school bus service. Concretely, gas in our municipalities, we cannot do without it overnight. This is used to heat our buildings. It is used for school catering. This is also used for a number of our vehicles.
Are you considering a tax hike?
Many municipalities are seriously considering it. This is not good news because it also obviously penalizes the inhabitants, but they do not necessarily have a choice. You have to understand that it will last. These constraints, which weigh heavily in terms of energy prices, will no doubt last several months, or even a little longer. It is even structural, according to specialists. It is today that the municipalities vote their budget. They have to make tough decisions with a bit of uncertainty. When they have to take measures that seek greater savings, for example through thermal renovation. This still means that you have to incur expenses before finding savings. There are not many possible levers. You have either the increase in taxation, or you give up investments, or you cut services that you provide to the population. In all cases, at the end of the day, it is still the inhabitants who suffer the effects.
What are you asking of the government?
As part of the resilience plan, there is a great lack when it comes to the municipality. We are talking about measures for individuals, they are put on the table. We talk about support measures for companies, they exist, but nothing, really nothing for communities. I find that a bit of a shame. We ask for an “energy shield”. Basically, an “energy endowment” precisely to support thermal renovation work for buildings. We are also asking for a freeze on gas prices and we are asking for guarantees on the markets which sometimes last a maximum of 2-3 years for the communities. Today, there are municipalities that are struggling to find suppliers who agree to respond to contracts they launch. This is really the absolute emergency for many communities. I remind you that there are more than 30,000 municipalities in France, that it is the leading public investor.