Citizens severely affected
The energy crisis, triggered not least by Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine, demands drastic cuts in energy consumption from the citizens of Blieskastel as well. The costs for fuel, gas, oil, electricity, but also for sustainable energy raw materials such as pellets, have already risen significantly. By the time of the annual bill at the turn of the year, as well as the advance payments for the next year, we must all reckon with significantly higher costs. “We expect the federal government to relieve particularly low-income earners, students, and retirees with low pension incomes who cannot bear these costs on their own,” said Guido Freidinger, the deputy responsible for social affairs.
The city also sees itself as responsible
“But the city itself must also contribute to the energy transition called for by the federal government, not only because of the expected massive increase in energy costs and the resulting burdens on the municipal budget. The measures already implemented, such as reducing public lighting, lowering the water temperature in the indoor pool, and closing or not reopening the sauna, will by far not be enough,” said Mayor Bernd Hertzler. “As part of our 'Energy Transition Now' strategy, which we launched in the spring and in the planning and implementation of which we are supported by Stadtwerke Bliestal and Pfalzwerke, we have since taken further measures that will also lead to a reduction in energy use in the long term, thereby saving costs and CO2.”
Working Group "Energy Saving Now"
A working group, which has been determining the energy consumption in municipal buildings and facilities since the end of July and is reviewing the economic efficiency of the energy generation systems, is currently developing concrete proposals for energy savings. Warm water for showers and hand basins will likely only be available in exceptional cases in the future. "In this process, we will probably have no choice but to shut down halls whose heating systems are particularly inefficient and which are simultaneously used very little. Affected hall users should then, if necessary, be offered the shared use of other, more economical halls. Of course, we will involve and consider the special interests of those affected as much as possible," said the deputy mayor. In the medium and long term, however, many now completely outdated heating systems must be renewed, requiring significant funds from the budget, the town hall continued.
Structural changes underway as well
A significant contribution to increasing the efficiency of technical systems, as well as internal administrative processes, is expected from the future building management, for the commencement of which, as part of inter-municipal cooperation with Gersheim, approval from the Saarland Interior Minister is hopefully expected soon. This proposal is also now submitted to the city council for decision.
Further steps to strengthen the use of renewable energies
Another important component for expanding renewable energies and thus an active contribution to climate protection is the development of a governance framework for the widespread use of solar energy ("ground-mounted photovoltaic systems") in Blieskastel. The administration has also submitted a proposal to the city council for the commissioning of an independent planning office for decision at its next meeting.
Pilot project for sustainable energy supply in city districts launched
The city now intends to take completely new paths in collaboration with the districts. The starting point is that the generation of heat is by far the largest energy consumer in private households. In a pilot project, the city aims to rethink the future heat supply. The plan is to develop a future-proof and economically viable energy concept with a high degree of autonomy. The involvement of interested citizens is highly sought for the development and implementation of such a local/decentralized heat supply. “With the professional support of our municipal energy providers and a corresponding energy management engineering or planning office, we want to work together with citizens in districts or neighborhoods that apply to develop an individual, economical alternative to the currently common climate-damaging single heating systems. At the end of last week, we invited the relevant local heads to an information event to explain the project and its goals in more detail. The local heads are now invited to act as multipliers by informing their citizens about this initiative in an appropriate manner (local council meeting or public assembly) and ideally to inspire them,” said the deputy mayor, who is currently representing the mayor on vacation, when presenting the project to the local heads. All information will also be made available to all citizens for viewing and download on the city’s website (see link and QR code below).
In the preparation of the respective expressions of interest, the city or the members of the municipal strategy commission have pledged their support. The submission deadline for the expression of interest has been mutually agreed upon as September 30th. Afterwards, a panel of experts is to evaluate the received applications and make proposals for implementation. "We are not just talking about renewable energies; we are actively driving the energy transition," said Mayor Bernd Hertzler in his welcome address at the meeting.
