Rising energy prices, high housing costs and record-breaking inflation in Germany bring back memories of the supply crises of the last century.

Within a year, the prices for heating oil and petrol have increased by more than a third, and the situation is not much different for gas and wood pellets.

It's a wake-up call to politics.

We need an energy plan for Germany.

The most important thing now is to act quickly in the interests of people and our industry – without calling our ambitious climate protection goals into question.

Five points for that.

Five criteria for the energy plan

First: the integrity of creation is one of the greatest challenges of our time.

The industrial and high-tech states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia stand by the international climate protection goals.

We want to become climate neutral.

To do this, we must turn the generational climate protection project into a reconciliation project – with firm commitments, above all to the younger generation: to those for whom the climate issue is paramount, as well as to those who are concerned about jobs or mobility.

Our economy needs planning certainty, and rural areas must be taken along with their needs.

The energy transition must not endanger cohesion in Germany.

Second: North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, as locations of Dax companies and hidden champions, are committed to their companies, to research, medium-sized companies and trade.

With innovative processes we help the environment, secure employment and take advantage of export opportunities.

However, the demand for energy is constantly increasing due to digitization and electromobility.

To do this, we must guarantee security of supply.

failures of the federal government

In addition to the expansion of renewable energies, we need the rapid construction of modern gas-fired power plants.

They can enable us to transition to long-term carbon neutral fuels like hydrogen without risking a blackout now.

But the federal government has so far failed to set the course for corresponding investments or a capacity market.

All of this hinders job security.

All too often we come up against national and European political borders, lengthy planning and approval processes hinder the transformation.

This also applies to quick commitments to access funding.

However, our economy needs good and reliable framework conditions and political support.

Excessive burdens should be avoided, for example by introducing an industrial electricity price.

In order to keep our companies internationally competitive, we must immediately renew the carbon leakage regulation.

If the federal government does not take action, we will submit a proposal to the Bundesrat.

Third: Stable energy prices in Germany are crucial.

A relocation of production sites and thus also CO2 emissions to third countries harms jobs and the environment in equal measure.

A CO2 border adjustment is being discussed at EU level.

Such a system change is fundamentally correct, but can at best be introduced gradually.

If we show how attractive location conditions for industry can be successfully combined with effective climate protection, we can even be an international role model.

A quick abolition of the EEG surcharge

The federal government has the most important levers to provide short-term relief for people with small and medium-sized incomes.

So we need a quick abolition of the EEG surcharge this year.

The VAT for natural gas, geothermal energy and district heating must be reduced to 7 percent and the electricity tax to the European minimum.

The energy transition must not become a social issue.

Fourth: A climate policy that plays off rich and poor or town and country against each other will fail.

The reconciliation of economy and ecology must not be a question of wallet or place of residence.

Social security also means that the standard rates for heat and electricity in the social security systems are reviewed and that we offer a sustainable solution for housing benefit.

The heating subsidy should be doubled.

Likewise, the upheaval of the CO2 price to landlords planned by the traffic light is not correct, it inhibits the construction of new apartments and harms the tenants.

The commuter allowance must now be increased

The federal government is focusing its attention primarily on the big cities - that does not do justice to the rural regions.

Example of mobility: Only those who get inexpensive offers will switch from the car to the bus and train.

The federal government must therefore double its spending on local rail passenger transport in the medium term.

For many people, however, there is no alternative to driving to work.

The commuter allowance must now be increased and automatically adjusted to rising fuel prices.

Fifth: If the energy transition is to be successful, we respect regional differences – also when it comes to expanding renewable energies.

Because of its topography, not every region offers the same good conditions for every type of energy.

For this reason, general percentage targets when designating areas for wind power per federal state are not expedient.

There is more wind in the north and more sun in the south.

Climate protection that strengthens social cohesion in our country secures jobs, has an eye on all regions and ensures social balance.

This project will define the 20s.

North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria will resolutely move forward together.

Markus Söder (CSU) is Bavarian Prime Minister, Hendrik Wüst (CDU) is Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia.