Brinker: “The decision reflects the reality of the energy industry”

EWE Welcomes Court Decision on Natural Gas Prices

Oldenburg, Germany, June 13, 2007. The Oldenburg-based energy provider EWE welcomes today’s decision by the Federal Court of Justice on judicial review of natural gas price increases. The court ruled that when the appropriateness of natural gas price adjustments is reviewed, only the amount of the increase must be checked. According to the decision, an increase is deemed fair if the energy provider passes on only the increases in the purchase costs.

“The decision reflects the reality of the energy industry,” declared EWE CEO Dr Werner Brinker. “It is extremely important for us that there has now been a decision by the highest court that answers the open legal questions on this issue.” According to the decision, EWE natural gas prices have always been fair. Since EWE only ever passed on the increases in the purchase costs – in some cases even less – Brinker is optimistic about the pending cases against EWE.

Thus far, all cases against EWE increases in natural gas prices that have come before court have been dismissed. Decisions are still pending in a few cases.