The black-red coalition plans a fundamental reform of the existing Building Energy Act. The core of the new regulation is the abolition of the 65-percent rule, which requires new heating systems to be powered by 65 percent renewable energy. Instead, homeowners will be free to choose their heating technology – whether heat pump, gas or oil boiler – provided that from 2029 they use a growing share of CO2-neutral fuels such as biomethane.
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) told the Bundestag that the old law had caused uncertainty and blocked investment. “With the Building Modernization Act, we are drawing a line under a policy of mistrust,” Reiche said. The federal government is replacing heating mandates with technology openness. Construction Minister Verena Hubertz (SPD) added that the old “blueprint” had not worked in practice – so they had drawn up a new one.
Green Party parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge warned of a cost trap and setbacks for climate protection. The Left Party is considering filing an organizational complaint with the Federal Constitutional Court to stop the new regulations. Environmental groups and some energy companies criticize that the planned “bio-staircase” – a gradual increase in the share of climate-neutral fuels – will be too expensive for the foreseeable future.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
