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Federal Network Agency President expects cold saunas and restrictions on wellness facilities
Photo: Patrick Seeger / picture alliance / dpa
The President of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, expects restrictions on saunas and wellness facilities for the winter.
He couldn't imagine "gas consumption in the leisure sector simply continuing during the winter given the extremely high energy prices," the 51-year-old told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.
"In any case, that would be grossly lacking in solidarity in a gas shortage," he added.
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A gas shortage would have dramatic consequences for jobs, businesses and production, emphasized Müller.
“Everyone has to be clear about that – jobs and the production of important goods should be more important to us than personal comfort in the energy crisis.” However, the drama has not yet reached everyone.
"There's a lot of discussion about the high prices, but some people seem to think it has nothing to do with them," said Müller.
The Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) called for a ban on radiant heaters in the catering trade in the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.
"There are good reasons to ban patio heaters in outdoor catering," said BUND energy expert Oliver Powalla to the newspaper.
In winter, not only gas but also electricity becomes scarce and very expensive.
"We can't currently afford the luxury of sitting comfortably warm outside even in cold temperatures," said Powalla.
According to the "Bild" newspaper, several retail chains are now shutting down escalators due to rising electricity prices.
This applies to branches of the electronics retailer Saturn and the department store chain Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof.
The latter also saves on the lighting.
According to the report, the shopping center operator ECE stops escalators during off-peak times in the morning and in the evening.
The furniture retailer Ikea is examining other energy-saving measures in addition to switching off escalators.
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