Municipal Workers' Association Launches Assault Against Consumer Protection Minister
The Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU) has hit back at criticism from Steffi Lemke, the German Federal Consumer Protection Minister, regarding separate tariffs for existing and new customers in the municipal utilities sector.
Lemke, who has expressed concerns about potential profiteering from differentiated tariffs, has been met with a staunch defence from the VKU. According to VKU CEO Ingbert Liebing, the criticism is premature and unfair, as the practice of offering separate tariffs is a standard approach in the municipal utilities sector.
Liebing, in a statement to the media, compared the situation to blaming the fire department for a wet carpet while they're putting out the burning house. He argues that the VKU provides assistance, and did not engage in gambling, unlike others.
The VKU maintains that such differentiation reflects legitimate economic factors and is essential for maintaining sustainable operations of municipal utilities. They argue that these operational and economic realities are not being sufficiently considered in Lemke's critique.
The cartel authorities, not the Consumer Protection Minister, are responsible for judging the reasonableness of VKU's tariffs, according to Liebing. He also questioned the basis of Lemke's assessment, stating that he has no understanding for her criticism.
This disagreement highlights a tension between consumer protection goals and the financial realities of utilities. While Lemke's stance aims to protect consumers from perceived profiteering, the VKU views the critique as hasty and inappropriate.
[1] This article features a photo of a gas connection, as reported by dts Nachrichtenagentur.
[Source: Various news sources]
The VKU stands firm in its defense against criticism from Steffi Lemke, the German Federal Consumer Protection Minister, regarding policy-and-legislation in the municipal utilities sector, stating that the criticism is premature and unfair as the practice of offering separate tariffs is a common practice in the industry. In response to Lemke's concerns, VKU CEO Ingbert Liebing likened the situation to politics, arguing that the VKU provides assistance, and did not engage in profiteering, unlike others, while the operational and economic realities of municipal utilities are not being sufficiently considered in Lemke's critique.
