From BZ/dpa
Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner sees limited state subsidies for the replacement of the heating system.
The FDP leader told the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday): “It is true that the rising CO2 price will provide economic incentives for changes in the coming decades anyway. But we want to speed things up and otherwise avoid social hardship. However, one must clearly state that the state cannot bear the costs in the long term and not completely.” Limited funds must be used as effectively as possible.
“Nobody who needs support is left in the lurch,” says Lindner. “I think a subsidy based on the heating system to be replaced makes sense.” This means that those whose heating systems have the highest CO2 emissions would receive the highest subsidy. “That would be particularly effective, because it would give us a lot of climate protection per euro. In addition, low-income households often have older heating systems. There is a social aspect here.”
In the coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP there has long been a dispute over the next federal budget. Lindner points to limited financial leeway.
The federal government plans that from 2024 every newly installed heating system should be operated with 65 percent renewable energy. Then, for example, heat pumps, solar thermal systems or hybrid systems consisting of heat pumps and gas heating have to be installed.
State subsidies of up to 40 percent of the costs are already available for the installation of heat pumps. Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) wants an additional multi-billion dollar subsidy program that should be based on income.
Criticism of the federal government’s heating plans came again from the Union. The CDU economic politician Julia Klöckner told BILD that more climate protection is important and right. “But anyone who uses the crowbar without considering losses endangers acceptance. The traffic light is increasingly becoming a project for the rich who can afford the traffic light plans.”