Ursula von der Leyen says EU should "double down on our affordable, homegrown, clean energy"

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in her annual State of the European Union address last week, argued that Europe should expand energy it produces at home — naming nuclear, renewables and biomethane among options — as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East drive fuel prices to record highs and strain households and businesses. The EU imports nearly all of its oil and 85% of its natural gas, with imports covering 57% of its energy needs, according to the bloc's statistical office. EU leaders in Brussels have given member countries temporary freedom to subsidize homes and energy-intensive industries and limited relief from spending rules, while France, Germany, Spain and others have rolled out tax cuts, subsidies and other measures to soften the impact.