The black-red coalition has agreed on the main provisions of the heating law reform. The strict prescriptions of the Building Energy Act, adopted by the Traffic Light coalition, will be significantly eased, the factions reported on Tuesday evening.
Installation of oil and gas heating systems is permitted
Thus, it will still be possible to install oil and gas boilers in residential buildings. The law introduced by the Traffic Light government will be changed so that any types of heating become possible again, noted in Berlin the head of the Union faction Jens Spahn (CDU). The basement with heating equipment becomes a private matter again: citizens again receive the freedom to independently decide how to heat their housing. The head of the SPD faction Matthias Miersch emphasized that the agreement was reached on a question which is extremely delicate.
Those who still plan to replace an old heating system or want to avoid using fossil fuels in new buildings can for now count on state support: subsidizing the purchase of eco-friendly installations (for example, heat pumps) is planned to be maintained at least until 2029. We maintain stability in matters of support, Miersch promised. At the same time, he was forced to admit that the coalition partners will discuss specific details of the program before the summer.
Union and SPD abolish the 65 percent rule
At the moment, the leadership of the CDU/CSU and SPD factions has agreed on only a five-page document with the main provisions. It must be specified in the texts of draft laws. The provision, which was subjected to sharp criticism from the Union and according to which every new heating system had to work 65 percent on renewable energy sources, is abolished.
Instead, it is now indicated: The new law will not contain norms making mandatory the expansion or replacement of existing functioning heating systems. And further: In the future, along with heat pumps, district heating, hybrid models, and biomass boilers, it will still be possible to install gas and oil heating.
Coalition confirmed commitment to climate protection goals
Nevertheless, gas and oil heating systems will have to work with a growing share of eco-friendly fuel, which by 2029 should amount to 10 percent. This can be biomethane or synthetic fuel produced from various raw materials. The CO2 emissions price, which is levied on fossil fuels, will not be charged on the share of such fuel. This should create an incentive for the transition.
For tenants, who cannot influence the method of heating their housing, protection is provided from excessive additional costs due to the installation of uneconomical heating systems — however, any details on this matter are absent in the document. Here, disagreements between the Union and SPD can still be expected.
The goals of the Climate Protection Act remain in force, the coalition emphasized. In particular, the transport and construction sectors have been lagging behind in climate protection matters for many years. If by 2030 it turns out that the construction sector continues to fail to fulfill the set tasks, measures will be adjusted.
New heating law should enter into force in July
We are abolishing the Habeck heating law, Spahn stated, referring to the former Green party Economy Minister Robert Habeck. We promised this, we are fulfilling this. The draft law is planned to be prepared by Easter and adopted by July 1. The Union and SPD agreed in the coalition agreement on a large-scale revision of this law. Initially, the main provisions were planned to be presented as early as the end of January.
The original heating law was one of the central conflict themes of the collapsed Traffic Light coalition and caused concern among the population. Critics called its prescriptions state dictate.
The reform of the former law also provides for the simplification of municipal heat planning — primarily for small cities and communities. While the oil and gas industry welcomed these plans, sharp criticism sounds from opposition parties, environmental, and social associations. They warn of rising costs for consumers and an insufficient level of climate protection.Source: dpa and AFP
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