Alexander Benesch, offering ordinary folk a payout or tax break at this time can make sense perhaps in Germany, although here in the U.S., the economy is already overheated.

Most importantly, any break is used to offset energy costs generally and NOT specifically fossil fuels.

Agreed, it's a bad idea to give a break to fossil fuel suppliers (or for consumers at the pump).

It's a time that many oil companies will make good profits. Beating them up for gouging is popular but a silly misunderstanding of what's happening.