Heating cost subsidy and energy price brake: The federal states call on the federal government to relieve the population with regard to the rising energy prices.
In view of the rising energy prices, the federal states have called on the federal government to provide further relief for consumers and companies.
Lower Saxony and Saarland are in favor of “effective measures” for natural gas, heating oil, district heating, electricity and fuels. The federal government’s planned relief package is an important first step that others must follow. The burdens on private households and companies have increased massively as a result of Russia’s “inhuman” war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Saarland Economics Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) told the German Press Agency that the high prices would not be sustainable for many in the long term. “We need a triad of: dampening energy prices, relieving consumers and security of supply, among other things through the expansion of renewable energies.” Lower Saxony’s Energy Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) said politicians wanted to do everything possible to dampen energy prices for consumers and for the economy. “The warm apartment and the way to work in the car shouldn’t be decided by the wallet.”
Heating subsidy should be increased
Specifically, they propose, among other things, to increase the heating cost subsidy planned by the federal government for low-income households and for many students and trainees. Specialist politicians in the coalition had also spoken out in favor of this.
In addition, electricity and gas cutoffs would have to be reliably avoided. A hardship fund should therefore be set up at federal level, through which energy debts of private households could be serviced on a transitional basis by means of a case-by-case assessment.
The taxes on energy products should be lowered gradually and thus in a plannable manner. The federal government should examine whether the electricity tax rates for private households and the economy could be permanently reduced to the European minimum level. The federal government’s plan to increase the distance allowance to 38 cents from the 21st kilometer is to be welcomed. “However, if the price spiral continues to rise, this can only be a start, which must be followed by the examination of further increases and tariff adjustments.” The liquidity of municipal energy supply companies must be secured with bridging loans if necessary, it is said.
NRW and Bavaria for energy price brake
Other countries have already called for relief. The Union-led states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria are in favor of an energy price brake in a motion submitted to the Bundesrat on Friday. The electricity tax must be reduced to the European minimum, and the VAT on natural gas, electricity and district heating must be reduced.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
