Energy crisis: SPD also wants relief for non-gas customers

In view of the increased prices, the SPD also wants to relieve non-gas customers. The first parliamentary director of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Katja Mast, told the German Press Agency: “We know that other energy sources have also become noticeably more expensive. That is why we are also working on solutions to cushion cases of hardship. The same standards must be met as with the gas price brake.”

For example, households with oil heating should also be relieved, said Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD). “The price increases for heating oil are also painful, so heating oil should be included in relief measures,” said the Saar head of government to the editorial network Germany (RND). “The countries should present this together in solidarity.”

In December, a commission of experts set up by the government proposed a one-off payment for gas customers in private households and businesses, as well as price brakes for a basic quota of gas for these groups from March. According to the proposals, a gas price brake should take effect for major customers in industry from January.

Mast now said: “Because of the galloping prices, we are pulling the brakes and limiting gas costs for all gas customers from March 2023. Families, craft businesses, but also municipal and social institutions such as hospitals or clubs will benefit equally from this “We’re siphoning off energy companies’ excess profits, thereby lowering electricity bills. March is a damn long time away, especially for households who have to flip every euro twice.”

That is why the government commission is proposing to quickly relieve consumers of energy costs with one-off payments in December.