From 2024, only heating systems that are operated with at least 65 percent renewable energy may possibly be installed.
(Photo: IMAGO/Manngold)
Berlin The controversial heating law by Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) and Federal Building Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD) could still be passed before the summer break.
SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert expects an agreement in the traffic light coalition on changes to the law in the coming days. The rhetoric of the traffic light parties has changed significantly, he said on ZDF, “from a refusal to an enabling communication”.
On Tuesday evening, Habeck will contact the responsible politicians from the SPD, Greens and FDP parliamentary groups. The FDP MPs had previously asked 77 questions about the proposed legislation, which they wanted answered before a decision was made.
According to government circles, the focus is not on a round of negotiations, but on answering the technical questions. One wants to find out where in the law improvements are useful and feasible. Further talks would follow in the next few days, including with associations.
The draft for the heating law that has already been passed in the cabinet stipulates that new heating systems must be operated with at least 65 percent renewable energy from 2024. In fact, this is accompanied by a ban on new oil and gas heating systems. Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) had agreed, but made a statement in the minutes that changes to the law still had to be made in the parliamentary process.
Habeck open to changes
Economics Minister Habeck announced changes last week. A staggering that would give owners of existing buildings more time is conceivable, the Greens politician told the “Berliner Morgenpost”.
The Federal Finance Minister wants to bring about changes to the Heating Act, the Economics Minister has promised adjustments.
(Photo: IMAGO/Emmanuele Contini)
“We could start switching for new buildings from January 1, 2024,” explained Habeck. With the existing buildings, he would want to accommodate the desire for more time.
Here the challenges are greater. “And in view of the concerns about the lack of craftsmen and delivery bottlenecks, a little more time is also a help,” says Habeck.
FDP parliamentary group leader Lukas Köhler, who is responsible for the negotiations on the liberal side, was optimistic on ZDF on Tuesday. Habeck took a good first step. He explained that his parliamentary group wanted the law to be linked to the municipalities’ heat planning.
pressure from consumer advocates
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had warned that the law should be passed by the Bundestag before the summer break. According to Secretary General Kühnert, this requires that it can be discussed in the coming week of meetings. In the past week, the FDP had blocked the start of the parliamentary procedure.
Pressure comes from the consumer centers. The head of its federal association (VZBV), Ramona Pop, told the German Press Agency on Tuesday that consumers lack planning security due to the “continuing stalemate”.
According to the federal government, around four million oil and gas heating systems in residential buildings will be subject to the statutory replacement obligation after 30 years of operation as early as next year. The former federal government made up of Union and SPD 2020 had decided on the obligation.
More: Savings banks warn of excessive demands from the heating law