gas deliveries
Habeck: Energy saving “if necessary” by law
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck: The situation is serious. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa
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Gazprom is significantly reducing its gas supplies to Germany. In this country, the concerns are growing. Robert Habeck could imagine measures to save energy – “if necessary also by law”.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck does not rule out legal measures to save energy as a consequence of the reduced gas supplies from Russia.
“If the storage volumes do not increase, then we will have to take further measures to save, if necessary also by law,” said the Green politician in the ARD “Tagesthemen”. When asked whether this could also mean lowering the prescribed minimum temperature in apartments, the minister replied, “We have not yet dealt with that intensively. We will look at all the laws that contribute there.”
Habeck: The situation is serious
The gas storage facilities are currently 56 percent full. That is above average, but not enough. “We can’t go into the winter with 56 percent. They have to be full. Otherwise we are really open, »said the minister. The situation is serious, but security of supply is currently guaranteed. At the same time, Habeck appealed again to companies and citizens to save energy and gas.
As announced, the Russian energy giant Gazprom further reduced its gas deliveries to Germany through the Nord Stream Baltic Sea pipeline on Thursday night. Habeck spoke of a pattern that has been recognizable over the past few weeks. This is how dictators and despots acted, said the Economics Minister. This is a showdown between Western allies and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Landsberg: Apartment also habitable with 18 degrees
The German Association of Towns and Municipalities has called for changes to the legal framework in order to make it easier to save energy as a result of reduced Russian gas supplies. General manager Gerd Landsberg pointed out in the “Rheinische Post” (Friday) that landlords are obliged to ensure a temperature of 20 to 24 degrees. “That has to be changed. Even an apartment with 18 or 19 degrees can still be lived in well and everyone should be able to support this comparatively small sacrifice, »said Landsberg.
If the situation continues to deteriorate, which cannot be ruled out, “concrete savings plans” should be developed in the municipalities, Landsberg demanded. Specifically, he mentioned lowering the temperatures in the administration buildings, reducing the temperature in swimming pools, possibly also the temporary closure of individual facilities. Conversely, it must also be specified where a temperature reduction is not possible, for example in hospitals and care facilities. Landsberg called for the efforts to be communicated regularly to the citizens. “We can only get through the crisis together, which means people have to support it,” Landsberg continued.