Econ Min-Putting NS II Online Not An Option, Would Be Wrong

Wires carrying comments from German Economy Minister and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck stating that putting the non-operational Nord Stream II gas pipeline to work 'is not an option for me' adding that 'it would be wrong'.

• In recent weeks, Russian gov't officials including President Vladimir Putin have raised the possibility of bringing Nord Stream II online to ease gas supply pressures on Europe. German and other EU leaders have argued supply constraints are due to issues confected by Moscow rather than legitimate maintenance actions.
• Habeck's comments come as headlines emerged yesterday of municipalities already taking efforts to reduce energy consumption in expectation of a supply crunch come winter. In the city of Hanover, lights illuminating monuments and water pumps for public fountains have been turned off while there will be no heating in the showers at municipal swimming pools.