Many industries depend on gas for production. If there is none, the economy is not working. The entrepreneurs’ association demands a supply – even in times of crisis.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) – The Baden-Württemberg companies have warned against completely cutting off deliveries in the emergency stage of the “Gas Emergency Plan”. “When it comes to gas supply, we have to turn the priority rules by 90 degrees. Private households must not be unilaterally preferred,” said Peer-Michael Dick, general manager of the Baden-Württemberg Entrepreneurs Association in Stuttgart. What use is it to people if they sit at home in the warmth but cannot pay the bill because they are no longer earning any money because their business cannot work. “No one has any of that.”
Should the shortage of gas continue to escalate, the federal government can initiate extensive regulations for the distribution of gas supplies in the emergency phase. According to the previous plans, it is clear that private households and social institutions should be given priority. Dick warned of corporate neglect. “If the economy doesn’t remain reliably running to some extent, there will be relocations abroad. That’s no use to anyone. These jobs would then be lost forever.”
The general manager rated the gas summit by Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) positively. “We see the government’s efforts to get the crisis under control.” Dick emphasized, however, that it shouldn’t just remain with corresponding announcements. “But I have doubts as to whether this will penetrate all administrative levels. I can imagine that peas will continue to be counted when it comes to issuing the relevant permits quickly – for example if companies are now considering switching from gas to oil in the short term .”
Dealing with the crisis is also a test for politics. “There is a risk of problems not only in the coming winter, but also in the winter of 2023/2024.” It is good that politicians have supported the liquid gas terminals and that they were approved quickly. “However, it is unclear to what extent Baden-Württemberg will benefit from this. Because the question is how does the gas get to us. There are bottlenecks in the infrastructure.”
