The EC objects that consumers are not treated equally, as households and public institutions pay different – in fact lower – rates than companies for usage of the same pipeline network.

According to the EC, Hungarian regulations define a too narrow range of costs that gas companies can include in their prices, as providers may not pass on the cost of the extra tax paid on the pipeline network, nor their bank transaction fee costs.

The EC also objects that the Hungarian energy authority can issue binding decrees, a rule introduced early this year, and that the only route of appeal against them is via the Constitutional Court, which the European Commission says restricts the right of appeal.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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