EU countries seek deal on weakened plan to cut winter gas use

Energy ministers from European Union countries are set to approve a weakened emergency proposal to curb their gas demand on Tuesday, with opt-outs allowing them to follow different national paths to prepare for Russian supply cuts.

The European Commission last week proposed emergency rules requiring each country to cut its gas use by 15 percent from August to March.

 The target would be voluntary, but the Commission could make it binding in a supply emergency. 

However, the plan has faced resistance from a range of governments, and countries have redrafted it to include exemptions for numerous countries and industries.