„I would not want gas prices to go up this winter, neither for household consumers, nor for companies,” Ariton said.
He added he will speak with Prime Minister Emil Boc Wednesday about maintaining regulations by which some local chemical companies use locally made gas exclusively. The law regulating the use of local gas by chemical companies expires on October 31.
„Tomorrow I will talk with the prime minister, as by October 31 we should decide whether we extend these contracts,” Ariton added.
The measure, meant to support local chemical plants, was introduced in May 2009 and extended by one year in October 2009. Employers and unions in the industry have threatened to picket the Governemnt and Economy Ministry headquarters if they are no longer allowed to use local gas exclusively.