The new chairwoman of the "Wirtschaftswise men", Monika Schnitzer, has spoken out in favor of banning companies from paying bonuses and dividends if they benefit from the gas price brake. "I understand the resentment about bonus and dividend payments when companies are supported by the state," said the chairwoman of the Economic Advisory Council to the newspapers of the Funke media group (Sunday). "It would not be plausible to allow this while the gas price brake is in effect."

So far, the federal government has not planned a ban on bonuses and dividends for the gas and electricity price brake. However, there is a decision by the budget committee that provides for exactly that. The federal government must now negotiate this with the budget holders of the traffic light groups.

Saving energy remains important

At the same time, the economics professor warned against false incentives. "Politicians must make it clear that consumers must continue to save energy. The commandment is: lower the heating, buy warm socks," said Schnitzer. She doubts whether this is communicated well enough. "Taking over the December discount must not lead to people taking it as carte blanche."

The utility Eon Energie Deutschland also continued to call for savings. "Saving energy is an immensely important lever. The less you use, the better," said managing director Filip Thon to the newspapers of the Funke media group. In addition, lower demand leads to falling prices and reduced CO2 emissions. The greatest savings potential in households lies in heating. "More than two-thirds of the energy in German houses and apartments is used for this," said Thon.

Economist Schnitzer rejected calls for relief for oil and pellets. "With the price brake, gas customers end up where customers with oil or pellet heating systems are anyway," she said. Special relief is therefore not required.