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Manometer at a gas storage facility in Hamburg (archive image)
Photo: A3576 Maurizio Gambarini / dpa
In view of the strong fluctuations in energy prices, consumer advocates have called for greater gas reserves and relief for private households.
"For gas storage facilities, a minimum fill level is required at the beginning of winter," said the board of directors of the Federal Consumer Association, Klaus Müller, of the "Augsburger Allgemeine".
This level must be made transparent and monitored.
If the prices for oil and gas continue to rise, households with low incomes in particular will have to be financially supported and protected from gas locks in winter, continued Müller.
"For example, housing benefits, Hartz IV and basic old-age security must be increased in line with the rise in energy prices." Industry exceptions would have to be canceled or financed through taxes.
According to Müller, there is also a need for greater support for energy-efficient building renovation in the coming years.
"Here, the buildings with the worst energy efficiency should be renovated first, many households with low incomes live here." In the medium term, politics must reduce the import dependency of oil and gas - above all through the expansion of renewable energies.
dab / AFP
