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Germany\u2019s transport minister said the government is monitoring fuel-price spikes as low water levels spurred by\u00a0intense heat this summer\u00a0trigger higher prices in some regions of Europe\u2019s largest economy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Steffen Bilger, who joined Chancellor Friedrich Merz\u2019s cabinet on July 29, said he opposed a fuel rebate\u00a0similar to one agreed to in April\u00a0in response to the war in Iran as \u201cno longer possible and no longer affordable.\u201d But the coalition partners are in discussion as the effect of critically low river levels reverberates, including in higher prices.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is of course another effect in certain regions, where prices have risen because of the supply problems,\u201d Bilger said on Tuesday in the northern port city of Kiel. \u201cWe do not yet have a supply crisis, the supply chains are functioning, but there are price spikes in some regions.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Europe is contending with another heat wave this week, as soaring temperatures raise the risk of wildfires, threaten crops and dry watersheds that feed the region\u2019s waterways, including the Rhine, Danube and Po. River navigation and power production have been disrupted by dwindling water levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The barge clearance level at Kaub on the Rhine, a key chokepoint for river shipments to southern Germany and Switzerland, continues to drop. It fell to 24 centimeters (9.5 inches) a week ago, the lowest since records began in 1880, and reached 14 centimeters on Tuesday. Forecasts from the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration show the level could fall to 9 centimeters by Saturday.<\/p>\n
Bilger called a\u00a0crisis meeting last week\u00a0to take action, including lifting state driving restrictions on public holidays to keep supply chains open. Construction work is also being suspended to ensure the movement of goods, Bilger said. He plans to hold another meeting on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe situation remains worrying, which is why it was good that we acted at short notice,\u201d Bilger said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat in Europe, the world\u2019s fastest-warming continent, straining power grids, sapping water supplies and\u00a0curbing\u00a0farm output.<\/p>\n
#Germany #weighs #options #water #levels #trigger #price #surges<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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