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Rolf Mützenich: "We need a diverse mix of technologies, especially in existing buildings"

Photo: Reuhl / Fotostand / IMAGO

SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich has reservations about a too one-sided focus of the heating law on the heat pump, which is considered a climate-friendly alternative to oil and gas heating. "The heat pump will not work everywhere. We need a diverse mix of technologies, especially in existing buildings," he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. In fact, in addition to heat pumps, the bill also explicitly mentions a connection to district heating, direct electricity heating, solar thermal energy and hybrid heating with heat pump plus gas or biomass heating as possibilities.

He also pleaded for a quick decision with several substantive corrections. For example, the promotion must be made more social. "I would be in favor of taking more account of criteria such as income," he said. This has so far been rejected by coalition partner FDP: It is not the individual owner who should be promoted, but the new heating system, argued the party of Finance Minister Christian Lindner.

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According to the draft law adopted by the Federal Cabinet, 2024 percent of every newly installed heating system is to be powered by renewable energies from 65 onwards. This should apply to all owners up to 80 years of age. Existing oil and gas heating systems can continue to be operated, broken heating systems may be repaired. This is intended to herald the farewell to climate-damaging gas and oil heating systems. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the changeover is to be "supported by targeted support", which also cushions social hardship. However, details are still controversial.

The Greens are pushing for the law to be passed before the parliamentary summer recess. The FDP, on the other hand, is calling for more time for changes – on the grounds that Parliament has lost the central point of contact for the issue with State Secretary Patrick Graichen. Graichen had drawn up the draft, but lost his post in the course of the »best man affair«.

Klingbeil wants to better protect tenants

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil emphasized that tenants must be better protected, for example, by not allowing the modernization levy for heating to be completely passed on to the rent. "We will also lower the age limits again," Klingbeil told the Rheinische Post. In addition, people in rural areas should not be worried "that they will be disadvantaged because of their pellet heating".

The timetable also continues to cause debate. For example, Mützenich suggested rethinking when the new rules should apply. "After all, citizens need planning security, especially against the background of municipal heat planning, for example with regard to possible district heating services."

Social Affairs Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) spoke out against a longer-term postponement. "It is necessary to quickly create clarity," he told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" (Friday). He is in favour of solutions that are technically feasible and socially feasible. "Climate protection needs broad social acceptance and must not become a project only for the well-heeled," he emphasized.

Heil also called on critics to show restraint: "We have to detoxify the debate about the Building Energy Act," he told the newspaper. He accused the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of "pretending that doing nothing is an alternative."

Union parliamentary secretary Thorsten Frei (CDU) proposed to revise the law. "I believe that this law is fundamentally wrong. It doesn't make sense to turn a few and a few screws," he said on ZDF's "Morgenmagazin". The current draft law leads to high costs and uncertainty among the population.

mfh/dpa