Energy networks belong to public sector
"The energy turnaround has to be social. It is unacceptable that electricity suppliers pass the costs of grid extension to the customers. DIE LINKE demands to communalize the networks to carry out necessary investments and prevent price manipulation. There must be a solidarity fund for the network expansion," says Caren Lay, General Secretary of DIE LINKE, after the energy provider EnviaM announced that rising prices could be expected, especially in Eastern Germany. Caren Lay continues:
The energy supply must not be left to the private market. It is the responsibility of politics to ensure affordable energy prices for everyone. DIE LINKE wants to democratize the energy supply. This requires alongside public energy networks, the recommunalisation of energy supply as well as the installation of advisory boards from consumers’ associations, environmental organizations and trade unions.
High prices for electricity are not a new problem. In the last ten years, prices have almost doubled. Year after year consumers overpay 10 to 15 billion euros. These are the official figures from the Federal Environment Agency. One reason is the elimination of price monitoring. Therefore, DIE LINKE wants to reintroduce the price monitoring. Until this agency is operational, an immediate moratorium on electricity prices must make increases impossible. Secondly, the energy suppliers have to be obliged to offer compulsory social tariffs for low-income households, as Belgium and France have already successfully implemented. Thirdly, we demand: No one shall get the power turned off because of financial difficulties. Energy supply is a fundamental right for DIE LINKE. The parliamentary group has proposed to motions during this legislature (BT-Drs. 17/3671 BT-Drs. 17/5760) to communalize the energy networks and to create a protective shield for electricity customers.