The European Commission will assess a pan-EU windfall tax on energy companies to
help relieve consumer and corporate bills as winter approaches, officials said.
The measure is being studied for feasibility and for using proceeds to fund
relief after discussion at a finance ministers' meeting in Luxembourg; Germany
and other member states have urged the step. EU climate commissioner Wopke
Hoekstra said expected proceeds would likely be well below an initial €50 bln
estimate and that multiple legal challenges remain pending.