Status: 04/02/2023 01:00 a.m
The traffic light wants to support homeowners in converting to climate-friendly heating systems. However, it is unclear exactly what the funding will look like. Finance Minister Lindner is considering making it dependent on the condition of the previous heating system.
In the opinion of Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner, government funding for climate-friendly heating systems could be based on the condition of the device to be replaced. “Graduation could be based on how old and dirty the heating is that is to be renewed,” said the FDP chairman of the “Bild am Sonntag”. “People who have little money tend to have heaters that are older. In this respect, there is a social component involved.”
At the same time, Lindner warned against exaggerated expectations. State funding options are limited. “We are currently working on a funding program that will be considerable. However, one must never forget that in the end it is always the taxpayers who pay for it.”
agreement after a long dispute
On Friday evening, the traffic light coalition reached a compromise on the controversial building energy law that banned the installation of new gas and oil heating systems. According to information from the Federal Ministry of Economics and the Federal Ministry of Building, there is a completed draft law supported by all three parties. He should promptly go to the state and association hearing and then to the cabinet.
According to this, the core principle remains that from January 1, 2024, every newly installed heating system must be operated with 65 percent renewable energies. However, there should be exceptions, transition periods and comprehensive funding. According to the information, the originally planned replacement obligation for functioning oil and gas heating systems will be waived.
Sharp criticism from the opposition
The opposition continues to criticize the traffic light coalition’s plans. The climate protection and energy policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Andreas Jung, said on Saturday that there are still many open questions about which the federal government must create comprehensive transparency in the short term. For example, it should be clarified whether there should actually be a ban on biomass heating for new buildings and whether heating with pellets is still possible.
The left-east representative Sören Pellmann referred to possible social consequences of the traffic light agreement. “Tens of thousands of heating systems will soon have to be replaced in the east, as many systems were installed in the 1990s,” said the member of the Bundestag from Leipzig. “People despair in view of the horrendous clean-up costs that will be incurred.” Pellmann spoke of an “impoverishment program”.