The positive aspect of this law is that all transmission tariffs are to be made public. However, the system may not be easy for eligible consumers to use. The Government should consider simplifying the system in the long run. It should be clearly understood that the portion of non-eligible customers should shrink, giving way to competition and free consumer choice whether the system is the single buyer or the third party access. Also, eligible consumers should have a dispute settlement mechanism with procedures not too lengthy nor cumbersome.
Local governments are heavily involved in the utility sector.
In Vienna, the utility is a part of the city Government itself, not even an independent legal entity. At the least, utilities should be independent legal entities, corporatised with unbundled accounts and using normal commercial management methods. Competition and free choice for consumers would improve efficiency in the system. There is also room for improvements to reduce costs, including labour costs. The bulk of Austrian gas supply is imported from Russia.