CAPITAL: Bern
MONETARY UNIT: Franc
REFINING CAPACITY: 132,000 b/cd
OIL PRODUCTION: 0
OIL RESERVES: 0
GAS RESERVES: 0
The Swiss government was considering a tax on nonrenewable energy consumption to raise $200-300 million/year for the subsidization of alternative energy.
A parliamentary commission recommended the tax, although at a much lower level than had been expected.
Swiss businesses opposed the tax, saying it would disadvantage Swiss companies relative to their foreign competitors by increasing their energy bills. They predicted the govenment would not use the proceeds to subsidize alternative energies.
The government said the tax would be a temporary measure awaiting overhaul the tax system. Imposition of the tax on energy consumption was possible in 2000, but a new tax system wouldn`t be in place until at least 2006.
Petroplus International NV, a Dutch oil refining and storage company, was negotiating to buy Royal Dutch/Shell Group`s refinery at Cressier.
Petroplus said it would maintain output at the 60,000 b/d plant, the third smallest of Shell`s 16 European refineries.
Shell had been trying to sell the Cressier refinery for some time and had considered closing the plant.
