Climate Protection and Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) on Friday evening urged further measures to be taken quickly to end dependence on Russia’s gas supply. She also wants to quickly implement her plan to transfer parts of the OMV gas activities to the state holding company ÖBAG.
The energy crisis in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine was “a wake-up call,” Gewessler said in ORF’s “ZiB 2.” Now is the time to “switch from emergency mode to long-term solutions,” said the climate protection minister.
Putin continues to blackmail us
One measure to reduce dependence on Russian gas would be more state control over gas purchases. To this end, Gewessler wants to transfer parts of the OMV gas company to ÖBAG: “Vladimir Putin continues to blackmail us with gas supplies, but despite this reduction, we have managed to reduce our dependence.” The takeover of the gas company under state control is “the most efficient means”, according to Gewessler.
Gewessler does not accept criticism of the idea, especially regarding the high start-up costs and the existing Gazprom contract: “Saying no and doing nothing is also a decision.” She decided to take action here.
Implementation “before the next heating season”
The minister is stepping up the pace of implementation. When asked, Gewessler stressed that the gas plans must be put in place “before the next heating season.”
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
