Two weeks ago, the traffic light had settled their months-long dispute about the heating law and agreed on “guard rails”. Now the last open questions have been clarified. The law is expected to be passed before the summer break.
The traffic light coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP has achieved a breakthrough in the heating law. At a meeting last night, the leaders of the factions agreed on the questions that were still open. An SPD spokesman confirmed the relevant information ARD Capital Studios.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs, led by the Greens, and the Ministry of Construction, led by the SPD, have now been asked to adjust the texts with the last details. The Building Energy Act – also known as the Heating Act – is to be presented on Thursday. In the coming week there will be another expert hearing in the Bundestag’s climate and energy committee. Two weeks ago, after months of arguments, the traffic light partners had only agreed on rough “guard rails” along which the original draft law should be changed.
Farewell planned for the summer break
The traffic light is aiming for the law to be passed by the Bundestag before the summer break – which begins after July 7th. According to the Reuters news agency, this should happen in the first week of July so that it can take effect from 2024. SPD parliamentary secretary Katja Mast explained: “This gives the citizens clarity on how to proceed with the heating.”
In essence, the “guard rails” provide more time for many homeowners when replacing the heating system. The Building Energy Act is to be linked to a law on municipal heating planning. The principle should apply: First, there must be a municipal heating plan. Otherwise, homeowners will not have all the information they need to choose the most favorable heating option for them – i.e. whether they have the option of connecting their house to a district or local heating network, for example. Gas heaters may therefore continue to be installed in new buildings if they can in principle be converted to hydrogen.
touch-ups and many unanswered questions
Mandatory municipal heating planning is aimed for by 2028 at the latest. The FDP had previously called for fundamental improvements and insisted on openness to technology. However, many points were still open – for example, what the planned state subsidy would look like and how the exception rules for heating replacement would be designed exactly. According to the “guard rails”, there should also be another modernization levy that landlords can use to pass costs on to tenants. Details were still open.
The draft law passed by the cabinet stipulated that from 2024 onwards every newly installed heating system should be operated with at least 65 percent green energy. This is intended to decisively advance the heat transition in the building sector – as a contribution to being able to achieve climate goals. However, no functioning oil and gas heating systems should have to be replaced, and defective heating systems should also be allowed to be repaired.