Michel-Edouard Leclerc, president of the strategic committee at a major fuel distributor, has suggested suspending a 20 centimes per liter cost linked to energy efficiency certificates (CEE) in an effort to lower fuel prices at gas stations. He called the recent rise in fuel prices in France "artificial" but admitted that the high prices have continued. According to Leclerc, pausing the payment for these certificates would immediately cut fuel prices by 20 centimes per liter. He also urged the government to expand the range of professions eligible for state aid during the current energy crisis. Leclerc expressed doubts about a proposal by politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon to set a price cap on fuel. Instead, he suggested using a floating tax system, similar to one introduced by former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin in the early 2000s. However, he stressed that any temporary measure should not exceed three months and must not interfere with France’s long-term plan to reduce carbon emissions. The CEE system was created by the government to support the shift toward a more sustainable energy future. Under this system, energy providers, including fuel distributors, are required to contribute to energy-saving initiatives for consumers. This obligation adds a cost of 17 to 20 centimes per liter of fuel, which is typically passed on to consumers in the form of higher pump prices. Dominique Schelcher, CEO of the Coopérative U, questioned whether halting CEE payments would be the best course of action. He pointed out that these certificates help fund important ecological projects in France, such as the expansion of electric vehicles and solar energy. Schelcher noted that the final decision on CEE payments lies with the government. Leclerc also criticized fuel refiners for profiting from the current situation, stating that they are making more money from refining processes than from the cost of crude oil. He mentioned that refiners sometimes earn up to $100 per barrel in profit, while fuel distributors operate with very slim margins. He noted that his colleagues are often called to the French Ministry of Economy, while refiners are not similarly addressed.