Energy sector crisis: Citizens react to tariff hikes and gas prices
Problems in the energy sector could have been avoided if the authorities had taken action in time, according to people.
They are dissatisfied with the tariff increases and the size of the compensations, which they expect to be smaller compared to last winter.
“Summer was cheaper; there could have been a way to borrow that money and stockpile gas in advance.”
“It seems that we can’t find common ground with either the Russians or the Europeans. Now, we’re left praying to God or whoever might help us, as if gas would fall from the sky, because we can’t take care of ourselves.”
“I believe we have a very competent government that addresses all the problems of our state as best they can.”
“Summer is for preparing for winter, but our leadership isn’t dealing with what needs to be done, or so I think.”
“I hear that gas prices are going up again, and I think they will rise another 4 lei after the parliamentary elections.”
“I want to believe in the good intentions of the authorities, because if I think they’re doing this deliberately, I’ll disconnect entirely.”
Authorities say they are doing everything they can to ensure citizens have clarity on the energy compensation amounts by the end of this week.
Payments will range from 300 to 800 lei and will be calculated on an individual basis.
On Tuesday, December 3, one of the main conclusions from the parliamentary hearings on the increase in natural gas prices and its impact on consumers and the national economy was that “the increase in gas tariffs was ‘inevitable’; otherwise, we would risk accumulating debts that, in the end, would be paid by the final consumers.”
Within the next 60 days, institutions responsible for the energy sector are required to submit detailed plans for acquiring and diversifying energy resources over a 12-month period, a measure intended to reduce the risk of future price fluctuations.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
