Cologne/Essen (dpa/lnw) - The City Council of North Rhine-Westphalia is calling on the state government to convene an energy summit for a savings offensive and relief measures. "Saving energy is the order of the day for all of us. Every kilowatt hour less is a precaution for the winter," said the chairman of the municipal association, Essen's mayor Thomas Kufen (CDU), the dpa. That is why it is important to coordinate energy saving. "And we have to talk about how economic and social impacts can be cushioned," added Kufen. In his opinion, an energy summit would also send an important signal to consumers.
All municipal areas must contribute to saving energy, especially with gas, explained Kufen. The country also wants to save energy. "It will cost us all a lot of strength and also deprivation. All the better if people can prepare for it at an early stage," he said. An energy summit should also discuss ways to mitigate economic and social impacts. Fast relief from federal and state governments is needed. Low-income earners were particularly hard hit by high heating costs. "We can't waste any time," he stressed. Because people are already facing high down payments for energy.
