Heating Law: Disinformation Works

Germany's coalition government has swiftly passed its revised heating law, which Economic Minister Katherina Reiche stated would provide much-needed planning security for property owners, tenants, and the construction industry. However, the law's implementation has already caused confusion. Homeowners who had planned to install heat pumps and applied for financial aid based on previous regulations found their applications worthless, as the new rules took effect immediately. The law permits the installation of conventional gas or oil heating systems, but under conditions that make them seem unwise. It includes a "bio-staircase" to mask climate impact, though the source of the required "green gas" and "green oil" remains unclear. Questions persist about how individuals will finance heating from oil and gas systems, whether these systems will be phased out, and the future availability of gas networks. Municipalities and companies also see their energy transition plans disrupted, with some within the CDU speculating the law might face a constitutional challenge. The coalition's actions are framed as a response to public anger and a fulfillment of campaign promises to abolish the previous government's heating law, which had become a symbol of perceived ideological climate policy. Research suggests that media coverage, particularly from "Bild," played a significant role in shaping public debate and contributing to widespread opposition to the previous law.