Photograph:
Jens Büttner/ dpa
In the dispute over the new building energy law, a compromise solution is in the offing. So far, the fronts seemed hardened: The Green Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck wants to enforce that newly installed heating systems are only operated with a large proportion of renewable energies, the coalition enemy FDP, on the other hand, maintains that Habeck's bill exposes homeowners to too great a financial burden. In addition, as in the dispute over the internal combustion engine, the liberals insist on openness to technology. Most recently, the FDP sent numerous open questions to the Ministry of Economics.
These now seem to be getting closer to clarification. The staggering of state aid for the replacement of heating systems is being negotiated under high pressure, and an extension to the use of wood pellets is being discussed. As a special concession to FDP leader Wolfgang Kubicki, the Greens also want to enshrine heating with hot air in the law, and there is also to be a "Lindner clause" that allows a loft apartment with a car elevator to be heated with the air conditioning of one's own Porsche convertible, provided that it has been refueled with e-fuel. However, when it comes to the use of kerosene, which is also promoted, they are stubborn.
Now it's almost all about the schedule. Actually, the traffic light coalition had agreed to pass the law before the summer recess of the Bundestag, but this goal no longer seems to be achievable. The state elections in Bavaria and Hesse in the fall, in which the FDP in particular needs success, are also delaying. The Ministry of Finance is now coming up with a proposal that could contribute to general calming: climate change will be suspended until mid-October by a coalition decision.