“The climate and energy transition must above all be thought of economically, because the effects on all areas will be serious. At the same time, we must not turn a blind eye to the threat of a gas supply stop by Russia or possible bottlenecks,” say the two Secretary Generals Karlheinz Kopf (WKO) and Christoph Neumayer (IV).
- Minister Gewessler on Anti-inflation package:
With the amendment to the Gas Industry Act and the amendment to the Energy Control Act, the Federal Government and the National Council have taken the first steps towards legal certainty. Overall, business and industry “still miss a clear concept and crisis management for emergencies or worst-case scenarios, which unfortunately cannot be ruled out”.
Gewessler did not show his cards in the ORF press hour either. In the case of the emergency plan, which was massively demanded by the economy, should the Russian gas fail to materialize, she referred to the procedure: First, the situation would be evaluated on the basis of five criteria. Then it is decided what reaction is needed – and if an energy control becomes necessary, it is decided how strongly one has to intervene. There are five criteria for this, but the basic rule is: “bread before steel.” It is also “logical” that one intervenes with the large consumers in the industry.
- Minister Gewessler on the gas contracts:
The minister defended the postponement of the introduction of CO2 pricing until autumn. It is “legitimate” to harmonize these with the payment of the climate bonus in an “exceptional year with price shocks”. Gewessler argued that the increase to 250 euros for everyone was an anti-inflation measure that would be “piggybacked” on the climate bonus, a “basic measure against inflation” so to speak.
When asked whether she could rule out the possibility that inflation would lead to a further shift in CO2 pricing beyond the autumn, the climate minister replied: “The CO2 price is coming, it’s an important instrument.” The system is in place, it is currently a matter of harmonizing the point in time. She did not want to reveal any further details, referring to the ongoing negotiations.
Source: Nachrichten
