The proposals for the gas price brake are a combination of pouring cash support and capping of sharply increased prices. Billions in taxes are intended to alleviate the bad consequences for households and companies. That doesn't work permanently.
The ladies and gentlemen of the Gas Commission really didn't have much time. They had just one weekend to put together a first-aid kit for 20 million households, tradespeople and companies. The result, which the commission members came to on behalf of the federal government, shows a combination of quick shotgun shots and later, limited price subsidies. A complicated compromise that was hastily agreed upon. Against the background of the massive challenges, the result, which critics will eagerly work on in the near future, deserves respect.
The billion-dollar quick fix will of course only be able to alleviate the first symptoms. Continually relying on everything to be fine now for a long time would be a mistake. In the meantime, certainty has prevailed that gas is available in sufficient quantities, despite the supply stop from Russia.
But the shortage of supply will continue to attract speculators and cause price jumps in the future. The only thing that can really help is to save on unnecessary gas consumption. And to open up new sources of supply under high pressure. Even if the gas from it is more expensive than what has been bought in Russia for years.
And even if the federal government implements the measures taken by the experts in this way, millions of people in Germany will have to put aside more money for their heating costs. And it has long been a fact that industrial companies are considering relocating production abroad - where energy can be obtained more cheaply.
Politicians must do much more than implement the hastily formulated first-aid proposals with billions in taxes. It must push renewable energy alternatives faster than before. And ensure planning security. For consumers who want to be certain of what expenses they will have to calculate with in the coming years. For industrial companies that need planning security for new investment projects. And for liquid gas suppliers who link capacity increases to long-term supply contracts.
If the federal government implements what the Gas Commission is proposing, it will buy itself time. If the coming months pass unused, this will lead to a tremendous shock in the spring after next. Many billions of tax dollars will then be gone.
