The Italian Minister of the Environment, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, announced that the 'Bill Decree' is expected to be finalized and presented to the Council of Ministers next week. This long-awaited decree is worth between 2.5 and 3 billion euros and targets the energy bills of households and businesses, with a particular focus on avoiding any increase in public debt. The measure is designed to provide financial relief amid rising energy costs, which have significantly impacted the Italian economy.

Central to this intervention is the cost of gas used for electricity generation. The government aims to reduce the disparity between the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) and the Italian PSV, addressing a gap that has recently influenced Italian electricity pricing considerably. Additionally, the decree proposes to shift some burdens currently placed on gas from thermoelectric producers, aiming to utilize the marginal pricing mechanism effectively. This is expected to amplify the impact on final electricity prices for consumers.

To fund this initiative, the Italian government plans to sell a portion of publicly held gas reserves, commonly referred to as 'gas release'. This strategy not only aims to lower bills but also ensures that any financial burden does not ripple back into increasing national debt, thus balancing immediate financial relief with long-term fiscal responsibility. The implications of this decree are significant, potentially stabilizing household utilities and easing the economic pressure on businesses throughout Italy.