Colder public buildings - Habeck plans regulation

Created: 08/12/2022Updated: 08/12/2022 15:09

Economics Minister Robert Habeck puts pressure on energy saving.

© Soeren Stache/dpa

Gas threatens to become scarce and expensive in autumn and winter.

Economics Minister Habeck urges savings.

And also wants to hold the state and its employees accountable.

Berlin - In public buildings, the temperature should be turned down because of the energy crisis at the beginning of the heating season.

Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck announced an ordinance to save energy against the background of reduced Russian gas supplies.

Among other things, public buildings should only be heated to a maximum of 19 degrees, as Habeck made clear in an interview with the "Süddeutsche Zeitung": "We will issue regulations about the Energy Security Act." Hospitals and social institutions should be exempt.

In addition, buildings and monuments should no longer be illuminated at night and advertising systems should not be illuminated, said the Green politician.

"More savings are also needed in the world of work." This is currently being discussed with the Ministry of Labor and the social partners.

In July, Habeck presented the cornerstones of a new energy security package.

It said that it was important that gas consumption also decrease in companies, office buildings and private households.

To this end, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is planning additional energy and efficiency measures on the basis of the Energy Security Act in close coordination with other departments of the Federal Government.

Estimated term of six months

In order to reduce energy consumption, it makes sense not to heat rooms that people do not spend time in regularly, such as corridors, large halls, foyers or technical rooms - unless there are safety requirements.

For public facilities and office buildings, this should be regulated in the course of regulations.

A period of six months is envisaged for this measure.

It was also said that the ministry would talk to the social partners about further savings opportunities in the work and operational area.

In addition, it should be prohibited in the future for homeowners to heat private pools with gas.

An earlier draft of the EU Commission's emergency plan provided that public buildings, offices and commercial buildings should be heated to a maximum of 19 degrees and cooled down to no less than 25 degrees with air conditioning.

However, this was no longer found in the proposals then presented.

Minimum temperatures in work rooms are regulated in Germany in a so-called technical rule for workplaces.

Accordingly, the minimum values ​​​​of the air temperature are between 12 and 20 degrees, depending on the severity of the work.

The 12 degrees apply to heavy physical work.

Values ​​of 17 to 20 degrees apply for less heavy work.

In break, standby, sanitary, canteen and first-aid rooms, the temperature must be at least 21 degrees during the period of use.

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Significant additional costs expected for consumers

The debate about relief for citizens due to the sharp rise in energy prices is ongoing.

The amount of the state gas levy will be announced this Monday.

The Ministry of Economics recently assumed a range of 1.5 to 5 cents per kilowatt hour.

That would mean significant additional costs for customers.

Habeck had said he expected "several hundred euros per household".

The surcharge is intended to benefit gas suppliers who have to buy replacements for the missing, cheaper Russian gas volumes at high prices, but are initially unable to pass these costs on to customers.

The question of whether VAT is due on the state gas levy is still unresolved.

A spokeswoman for Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) said on Friday that they were working at full speed to find a solution to the issue and were also in close contact with the EU Commission.

The political goal is clear.

Both Lindner and Habeck want to forgo the tax burden on the apportionment.

However, Lindner had pointed out problems under European law.

A spokeswoman for Habeck made it clear that the question of VAT should be seen independently of the fact that the amount of the levy is to be announced next Monday.

She pointed out that the levy would only take effect in the fall.

Discussion about VAT

Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger spoke out in favor of passing on VAT revenue from the future gas levy to poorer households.

"If the VAT on the gas levy is legally unavoidable, then the income from it should be distributed to low-income groups as monthly energy money," said the SPD politician to the newspapers of the Funke media group.

"In this way we would also socially balance the necessary gas surcharge, because small incomes get something back and large incomes don't."

Lower Saxony's Energy Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) called for the levy to be capped: "The federal government must now ensure very quickly that the planned gas levy is not passed on to customers in full and immediately, as planned," said Lies.

"We have to cap them at least, otherwise, in the worst case, there will be additional costs of up to 1,400 euros per year for a four-person household." It cannot be that only the gas customer should bear this burden.

"In the end, it will only be possible to manage it through the federal budget." dpa