The scientific services of the Bundestag have raised constitutional doubts about the planned new heating law of the black-red coalition in a report. According to Spiegel, the report states that there are “constitutional doubts,” particularly whether the new regulation on heating emissions disproportionately shifts reduction burdens into the future. It remains unclear how the Federal Constitutional Court would assess these doubts.
Green Party energy politician Michael Kellner, who requested the report, told the German Press Agency: “This law is constitutionally questionable.” Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) apparently does not care. “But the members of the Union and SPD parliamentary groups should reconsider, because they risk embarrassment before the Federal Constitutional Court.” Environmental groups such as Deutsche Umwelthilfe have also described the draft law as “highly questionable” from a constitutional perspective.
The black-red coalition wants to scrap key points of the existing Building Energy Act, often called the “Heating Law.” The 65-percent rule, which requires every new heating system to be powered by 65 percent renewable energy, is to be dropped. In the future, new gas and oil heating systems could also be installed if they gradually use CO2-neutral fuels. The Left Party is considering filing an urgent constitutional complaint to stop the new regulations.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
